Dawn O'Keefe Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dawn O'Keefe of LaGrangeville passed away on Dec. 21, 2021. Dawn was born in the Bronx on Sept. 11, 1975 to Daniel and Marie O'Keefe. As a child Dawn displayed a love for animals, nature, and sports. During high school she was a vet tech, volunteered as an EMT for the ambulance core. She played volleyball, basketball and was an all star pitcher on her softball team. These interests formed the core of who Dawn became as an adult: her compassion, intellectual curiosity, and strength guided her life choices. Dawn graduated from Lakeland High school and went on to Stony Brook University and earned a degree in Biology. She had an immense love for science. She also went on to take IT classes at Suny Purchase and earned her degree in computer science. This led to her career where she worked for over 18 years. Dawn loved technology, learning, and fixing things at her job and in her life. She loved life, every minute of it. Dawn came from a family who loves food. Her mother, Marie, fed her family not just with the most delicious food- from home-made pizza to zeppoles-but with love. Food became an expression of love and life that Dawn embraced and shared with Diane and all of their family and friends. She ate with gusto, trying new things and cooking traditional family favorites, and, of course, washing it all down with a Coke. Every meal with Dawn was a celebration of life and friendship, and just one small way she showed her generosity. Her passion and excitement were contagious; no matter what the subject, to hear Dawn talk about something she was interested in-and she was interested in so much-drew us all in. She forged so many deep relationships because she truly cared in a way that everyone who met her could feel was genuine. She was loved by, and will be missed by, so many. Daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and most of all wife and mother. She was a generous soul, a kind and compassionate friend to all who knew her-humans and animals alike. She was a jack of all trades, knew more about things no one else had even heard of, and was willing to tackle any problem that came her way with optimism and enthusiasm for having a new experience. Nothing seemed beyond her abilities-whether it was a broken computer or a baby bird, Dawn had it covered. She was fierce. Above all else, Dawn was a devoted wife and mother. She met her wife, Diane, through an online dating site, and from that moment on their love grew. When two people are destined to be together, despite the improbable odds of a computer algorithm, they find their way. Dawn and Diane found their way from Long Island, to Brooklyn, to Mahopac and finally to their farm. They had dogs, cats, chickens, and miniature donkeys, but what they dreamed of was children. When Claire was born, Dawn became "super mom" giving her daughter all the comfort, love, and security a mom can give. When Johnna was on the way, their family felt like it would be complete. While she may not be there physically, they will always know their mother's love. Dawn is survived by her wife Diane Bonsignore, 2 daughters Claire and Johnna, Mother Marie O'Keefe and Father Daniel O'Keefe and his wife Zoila, brother Daniel and her sister Jennifer. Also survived by her sister in law's Dineen, Donna, Terri-Ann and brother in law's Rob, Michael and Roger, along with her 7 nieces and nephews Samantha, Dalton, Jaxson, Kristen, Nicholas, Bridget and Patrick.

Tributes

Dawn O'Keefe

September 11, 1975 - December 21, 2021