Janelle O'Keeffe Obituary

O'Keeffe
Janelle O'Keeffe
November 19, 1932
July 18, 2025

With profound sadness, the family of Janelle Cortner O'Keeffe announces her passing on July 18, 2025, in Colorado Springs. She was 92 years old.
Born on November 19, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee, Janelle was the daughter of Stanely and Virginia Louise Cortner. Proud of her deep roots in Tennessee, she was honored to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and part of the Scots-Irish community that helped settle Robertson County in northern Tennessee.
Janelle graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1954 and began a career as a stewardess-an exciting profession at the time. During a layover in Dallas, she met a young Army lieutenant named Dave O'Keeffe at a party. That night sparked a long-distance courtship filled with love letters the family still cherishes. The two were married on June 4, 1955, in Nashville.
The O'Keeffes welcomed five children over the next decade-David Jr., John, Karen, Jennifer, and Timothy. As Dave's career with IMB led to frequent relocations every few years, Janelle skillfully managed each move, building homes and communities from scratch, all while raising a growing family. Their final family home was in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where all five children graduated from high school before heading out into the world.
In their later years, Janelle and Dave lived in Falls Church, Virgnia, before settling in Colorado Springs, where they made their home at Kissing Camels, McKenzie Place, and eventually Sunny Vista.
Janelle was a devoted Catholic, giving much of her time in service to others. She played the organ at Mass, volunteered with the Society of St. Vincet de Paul, and was active in the Serra Club. She loved reading, but her true recreational passion was cards - especially Bridge, where she was widely regarded as a formidable and talented player.
Above all, Janelle was deeply committed to her family. She crisscrossed the country to visit her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, forming strong, lasting bonds with each generation. Her kindness, warmth, generosity, and playful spirit live on in her five children, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be held in Janelle's honor on August 19 at 2:00PM at the John Newman Center in Colorado Springs. She will be laid to rest at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, beside her beloved husband Dave.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Janelle's memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Program at St. Mary's Cathedral in Colorado Springs.