Jennie B. O’Keefe (nee Sharkey), 92, passed away peacefully at home on April 13, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Michael O’Keefe; loving mother of John (Karen) O’Keefe, Mary (Mike) Bushell, Joanne (Kevin Jackson) O’Keefe, and Michael (Jennifer) O’Keefe; cherished grandmother of Michael O’Keefe, Richard (Jenn) O’Keefe and Johnny (Mary) O’Keefe; Lauren (Tom) Baker, Jennie Bushell and Joe (Elizabeth) Bushell; Sean (Annie Minogue) Jackson, Kiera Jackson and Kiet Jackson; Meghan (late Chris Scheid, partner Pat Hanrahan) Scheid, Courtney (Sam) Linehan, Katie O’Keefe and Kelly O’Keefe.

She was a loving Great Grandmother of Cora, Collin, Aidan and Josie O’Keefe; Mia and Mikey O’Keefe; Cian, Hannah, Addie and Liam Baker; Sophie and Eleanor Jackson; and Elizabeth Hanrahan.

Jennie was a dear sister of the late Dominick (Peggy) Sharkey, the late Agnes (Paddy) Flannery of Ireland, the late John (Bridie) Sharkey of Ireland, the late Mary (Jack) Borner, Patrick "PT" (Sally) Sharkey, and Catherine (Patrick) Spellman of England.

Jennie was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews in the US, Ireland, and England and a dear friend, cousin, and neighbor of many.

Jennie was born in Lissergool, Tibohine, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland to Patrick Thomas and Mary Jane Sharkey. Jennie grew up on a farm with her parents, grandmother, and 6 siblings. She emigrated to Chicago in 1953 to join her brother Dominick and sister Aggie who had emigrated a couple of years earlier. Her sister Mary joined them soon thereafter. Her first job in America was as a waitress at De Met’s restaurant in downtown Chicago. She learned many of their secret recipes and was always a great cook. She met Mike O’Keefe from County Limerick, Ireland at an Irish dancehall in Chicago, and they fell in love and married in 1956. In the following six years she had four children: John, Mary, Joanne, and Michael. They first resided on the west side of Chicago (Austin) and were parishioners at St. Angela’s and later St. Ferdinands, Our Lady of Ransom (Park Ridge), and most currently St. Paul of the Cross. After her children were in school, she worked the night shift at Mars Candy Company, wrapping millions of Milky Way Bars. She retired when her husband Mike did from AT&T, and they had many wonderful European and Caribbean trips with their favorite world travelers, Mary and Jack Borner. Unfortunately, she lost her husband and best friend Mike to cancer in 2002. Later she endured crippling pain and several surgeries, after which she was confined to a wheelchair. Despite these difficulties, she devoted her life to family and friends and was most happy spending time and celebrating milestones and holidays with her large family. She built a legacy with 4 children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren who were her reason for life and to whom she always offered sage advice. Jennie will be remembered for her roaring laughter, keen sense of wit and humor, and her love of a good Manhattan. Jennie will be deeply missed but she is at peace with her husband Mike and family in heaven.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16th from 4-8 pm at Cooney Funeral Home, Heneghan-Suerth Directors, located at 625 Busse Hwy., Park Ridge, IL. A Funeral and Celebration of her Life will start at 9:15 am on Friday, April 17th at the funeral home proceeding to St. Paul of the Cross Church, located at 320 S. Washington St, Park Ridge, IL. for a 10:00 a.m. Mass. A link for the live stream of the mass is located below. Interment will follow graveside at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to a charity of your choice. Funeral information 773-631-1240 www.heneghanfs.com