Rosemarie O'Keefe

With heavy hearts and blessings, we announce the passing of Rosemarie Fontana O'Keefe, who departed this life on February 10, 2025, at the age of 84. Mom was so beautiful inside and out. She was an amazingly creative person. She was born on March 7, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio, and lived a life full of joy and laughter. An Italian-Sicilian woman, she was always the life of the moment.

Rosemarie graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and excelled in her educator work, making lasting contributions. She was a brilliant High School educator among the first teachers to teach when forced integration began. At the time, she was teaching in Washington, DC. She taught English (Great Books), World History, and ESL (English as a Second Language). She soon married Gerard Paul O’Keefe (Air Force Pilot) in San Antonio, where she later continued to educate at Central Catholic High School and Fox Tech and Churchill High School.

She was also an active community member, volunteering her time and talents to various causes close to her heart, and a creative woman who sketched and painted beautifully. Her favorite subject was always flowers.

Rosemarie was a beloved Mom, Grandmother Nani, Mother-in-Law, and faithful friend and teacher to many. Rosemarie will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her loving daughter, Kathleen Victoria (O’Keefe) Backwell; Arthur Edstrom, husband of Kathleen; son, Sean Clement O’Keefe; Laurie O’Keefe (wife of Sean); granddaughter, Brianna Victoria (Blackwell) Gargano and husband, Michael Gargano; Austin Blackwell (son of Kathleen) who touched the lives of many with her kindness, warmth, and unwavering love.

She was preceded in death by her mom, Victoria Fontana, and her sister, Eleanor Fontana; together, they were all in the restaurant business overall in their early stages. The 'Venice Italian Restaurant' on the San Antonio Riverwalk for the 1968 World's Fair in San Antonio, 'Fontana's Pizza' on Broadway (where Elvis and crew stopped by, as our family cousin was D.J. Fontana, drummer of The Jordanairs, Elvis's original band.) And 'The La Estrada' on San Pedro in San Antonio, where Rosemarie worked for all.

Saturday, February 22, 2025, will be Visitation from 11 am to noon, Catholic Mass from noon - to 1 pm, followed by a Reception at 1 pm, and Committal Service at 3 pm at Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas. 

May Rosemarie Fontana O'Keefe rest in peace in Heaven, and may her memory, love, and warmth bless us all. Amen.