Carol Lynn O'Keefe

Carol L. O’Keefe, 67, of Rockford passed on to join her Mom and Dad on December 17, 2022, at 1:23 p.m. after a 12 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Carol was born March 3, 1955, in Killeen, Texas, to Betty and Kenneth (Sam) Pearce. She graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1973. She was a Senior Material Planner at Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation for 34 years. Carol married Michael O’Keefe in Rockton, IL, on July 16, 1983, at The Church By The Side of The Road.

Carol cherished her time at her lake home on Blueberry Lake in Couderay, Wisconsin. She loved four wheeling, swimming, canoeing, s’mores at the campfire, and of course - 5 o’clock happy hour with Margaritas and her lake family. She was an avid runner. Later in life she enjoyed walking each day at the lake, but had a great fear of bears, so Mikey (instead of walking) would follow alongside her in his truck.

She loved all holidays with the family, but by far her favorite was Christmas with the grandkids, and she did Christmas with gusto. Every year she came up with a new theme for Christmas for the kids and grandchildren and spent months creating games to support the theme. The first year she joined the O’Keefe family, she created an elaborate scavenger hunt that led to the grand prize of an Atari. She never missed a year to orchestrate even more clever games for the grandkids like fishing from a basket, putting on skits for the family, and using logic and problem-solving skills to earn their presents. Carol even extended her exceptional organizational skills and cleverness into a wildly successful surprise triple Birthday party for Mike’s 50th, Diane’s 40th, and Tricia’s 30th leading them throughout Rockford on a scavenger hunt and an awesome party that will never be forgotten. This lady really knew how to make life exciting and fun.

She was a Cub Scout leader for four years for Trevor’s pack and put that same enthusiasm into their activities. She was the Secretary for the Rockford Icemen Hockey team for several years. Carol enjoyed being a supportive hockey mom for Timmy and Trevor as well as supporting Trish in figure-skating. As you can see, she spent A LOT of time at the ice rink. Carol also really enjoyed helping others and volunteered for 20 years for the Special Olympics games.

Survivors include: husband Mike O’Keefe, children; Tricia DuPre, Timothy O’Keefe, and Trevor O’Keefe. Grandchildren include; Padyn Elizabeth O’Keefe, Brody O’Keefe, Timothy DuPre, and Tristan O’Keefe, sister Karen (Doug) Vallem, brother Bryan Pearce, sister-in-laws; Vicki (Robert) Wright, and Diane (Gary) Heslop, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Betty and Kenneth Pearce and brother-in-law Danny O’Keefe.

Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Sunset Funeral Home, located at 8800 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park, Illinois. Visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Special thanks to the nurses and staff at White Oaks Assisted Living in Huntley, Illinois, and Northwestern Huntley Hospital for all their love, care, and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to:

The Parkinson’s Foundation

P.O. Box 61420

Staten Island, NY 10306

Or call to donate over the phone at (800-223-2732)

Special Olympics Illinois

Region A Team

850 N. Church Street

Rockford, IL 61103