Grace L. O'Keefe

Grace L. O’Keefe, 96, of Weeki Wachee, Florida, passed away January 28, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Grace Tudisco, her sister Margaret Tudisco and brothers Salvatore and Antonio Tudisco, and grandson Thomas Hicks.

She was born in Catania, Italy, March 23, 1924 and was a war bride. She came to the United States in 1947 and became a United States citizen in 1951. Grace received her high school diploma at the age of 79 in Spring Hill, Florida. Due to World War II during her high school years she was unable to complete her education in Italy. She was very proud of this accomplishment and a newspaper article was written about her in the Hernando Times.

Grace was a Master Tailor and owned several of her own men’s and women’s custom tailoring shops in the Michigan, Illinois and Florida area’s making custom men’s and women’s suits, wedding dresses, draperies and alterations.

She had a passion for Latin ballroom dancing and won several medals and trophies while competing in the Chicago area. She also loved her flowers, roses especially, and could bring a dead plant back to life.

Grace loved to tell stories of her life to all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren every chance she got and they loved listening to her.

She is survived by her husband Dennis O’Keefe of Weeki Wachee, FL, her daughter Debbie Kohr (Stephen) of Weeki Wachee, FL, sons Jerry Maloney of Holiday, FL and Al Maloney of Beverly Hills, FL, brothers Eugenio Tudisco (Iolanda), and Alfredo Tudisco both of Spring Hill, FL, grandson Timothy Hicks of Eagle River, Alaska, granddaughters Lori Walker (Michael) of Jacksonville, FL and Jennifer McBride (Mike) of Marshall, Michigan, several nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Turner Funeral Home, 14360 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609. Funeral Services will follow at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the funeral home.

Livestreaming - The service may be viewed at servicewebcast.com. The service password is Grace1125. The virtual room will open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled service start time. Please note that the start of the live webcast will begin when the actual service begins.

Entombment will take place at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

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