With incredibly sad hearts we announce that our sister, Daneen Elizabeth O'Keefe passed away Tuesday, January 14th, 2020. Daneen was only 48 years old.  She died suddenly of a heart attack in her home as she was getting ready for work at Philips Elementary School. Ms. O'Keefe was a beloved teacher at Phillips and at Moton Elementary.  She taught more than 500 students over the course of her 18 year career in the Hampton City Public School system. Daneen loved her kids more than anything in the world. She had a special place in her heart for each one of them and appreciated the hard work they did in class every day. Daneen wanted to make learning fun, from bringing her father in to sing songs to visits from Santa Claus and special guests, she kept her kids engaged. Daneen earned her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education at St. Leo College and her Masters Degree in Education at Norfolk State University. Her education career was the realization of her life-long dream to be a teacher.

Daneen is survived by her brother Richard O'Keefe, his wife Teresa, and their children Riley and Carson, her brother Paul O'Keefe and his children Patrick, Erin, Camryn, Sam and Rachel, her brother Carlo O'Keefe, and his wife Lisa, and their children Alan, Brian, and Kelly, as well as her long time love and recent fiancé James Dougherty. Daneen is predeceased by her loving parents Paul R. O'Keefe, Sr. and Daneen M. O'Keefe of Hampton.

A Viewing will be held on Friday January 17th, from 4:00-6:30 PM at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. We will celebrate her life at 2 :00 PM at the Oozelfinch Brewery on Fort Monroe. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please support a local teacher.