Our hearts are broken, our wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Agnes Claire O’Keefe, passed away peacefully at An Cala Palliative Care Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, surrounded by her adoring family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Sydney on November 27, 1933, Claire was the daughter of the late Dr. Duncan and Anne (Boutilier) Purcell. Claire attended St. Joseph’s School and graduated from Holy Angels Convent in 1951. In the fall of that year she attended the first class of Xavier Junior College in Sydney. It was here that she met and fell in love with Joe O’Keefe (the love of her life).
In 1954 she graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish with her BA degree and the following year graduated with her B.Ed degree from St. F.X. She then taught grade 3 at St. Joseph’s School in Sydney for three years. After her youngest child started school, Claire went back to work as a substitute teacher. She taught in Glace Bay, Sydney, Westmount and Grand Lake. She primarily taught French in elementary, junior high and high schools, but was mostly delighted when she was called upon to teach the little children.
Claire was a kind, genuine and loving person. She was happiest when her children and grandchildren were by her side. She loved helping with homework, school projects and solving puzzles. She had a passion for sewing and took great pride in making graduation gowns, school clothes, Halloween costumes and kilts for her children and grandchildren.
For 35 years mom’s greatest love was spending the summer months with Joe and the girls at their cottage in Northside East Bay and feasting on pounds of lobster. She was delighted to play board games and card games by the hour with her grandson, Jamie. Ma was even taking part in the Wii Fit challenge with him.
Claire is survived by her husband of 52 years, Joe; four daughters, Margaret Anne Pickup, Colleen (Francis) Lynk, Sydney, Sharon (Michael) Boutilier and Allison (Dennis) Wadden, Cole Harbour and her four beautiful grandchildren of whom she was extremely proud, Jeanne Pickup (Mike MacDonald), Cole Harbour, Janet Pickup (Evan Nemeth), Halifax, Jamie Wadden (ma’s handsome young man), Cole Harbour and Tyler MacIntyre, Sydney and also by the father of her two granddaughters, William Pickup, Coxheath. She is also survived by her brother, Robert (Annette) Purcell, Coxheath; sister, Sarah Anne (Sally) Belanger, New Britain, Conn. and brother-in-law, James (Jessie) O’Keefe, Glace Bay. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews, who held a special place in her heart. As well, surviving Claire are her two dear friends, Lorraine Carroll and Joanne Colbert and special grandnephew, Joshua Lynk.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Jack Purcell; sister, Margaret MacPherson; brother-in-law, Gilles Belanger; sister-in-law, Margaret Purcell; in-laws, Patrick and Sarah O’Keefe; sister-in-law, Moira O’Keefe and ma’s special angel, her grandson, Michael Joseph Boutilier.
Visitation for Claire will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009 in T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St., Sydney, 902-539-3002. Funeral mass Monday, Dec. 21, 2009 in St. Theresa’s Church at 10 a.m. with Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating with burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Pancreatic Cancer Canada would be graciously accepted.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com.
“Mom, you are a true inspiration to us and all who knew you. You are in our hearts forever and with us always. We are truly blessed to have you as our mother.”

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