Mrs. Loretta Keefe

Loretta (Slater) Keefe passed peacefully at home on the evening of December 24th, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by Robert, her husband of over 48 years. Surviving her are her children & their spouses: Linda & Michael Esopa; Luann and Michael Benesh; Loretta and John Higgins; Richard and Kimberly Keefe; Lisa and James Castellaneta; Robert Keefe, Laura Reale. Loretta (Grams) is survived by her grandchildren Rebecca and Brendan Keefe; Christopher and Brandon Higgins; Teaghan Keefe; Eugene and Kimberly Reale; Natasha, Anthony and Andrew Reale; Keri and Allison Castellaneta. Loretta was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Patrick, DeAnnica, Jackson, Connor and Aiden Reale. She was proud of them and their accomplishments. Loretta was the youngest of 11 children, born on July 8, 1932. She was predeceased by her parents, James & Magdalena (Heeg) Slater; two brothers, Thomas & James; and six sisters, Eleanor, Florence, Mary, Genevieve, Katherine and Frances. She is survived by two sisters, Madeline Brophy and husband Robert; and Ann Kennedy; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who were always welcomed with a hug and smile at her door.

Visitation will be held at the Higgins Funeral Home at 113 Lake Road East in Congers, Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 from 2-4 PM and 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, December 29th at 10:00 AM at St. Paul's Church, 82 Lake Road, Congers, NY. Interment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery in Congers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Calvary Hospital Hospice, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461 and The Food Cupboard at St. Paul's Church, 82 Lake Road West, Congers, NY 10920.