Caryle Keefe

Caryle died at home in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her loving family, due to complications from COPD and heart failure.

Caryle was born in Hettinger, N.D., and grew up on a wheat farm near Bison, S.D. Caryle attended a one-room country school through eighth grade. For high school, she and other "country kids" moved into town and lived at a local hotel. She loved math and accounting, which she utilized for many years working as a secretary, bookkeeper, tax preparer, real-estate agent, broker and entrepreneur.

After high school Caryle attended business school in Aberdeen, S.D., then moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and later Denver, Colo., for work. She loved to travel and took many trips from coast to coast, with favorite stops in New York and Hawaii. Her adventures led her from Denver to Alaska via a double-decker Stratosphere prop plane, arriving six hours later in Anchorage on Easter Sunday 1955.

In June 1959, while checking out a state land auction in the Big Lake area, Caryle met John Keefe. A short courtship led to marriage on Oct. 31, 1959. She and John went on to have many business endeavors in real estate and electrical contracting during their 44 years of marriage.

Caryle was a lifelong Catholic with a quiet and humble faith. Although she didn't talk much about her faith, her actions spoke volumes. Caryle attended weekly Mass and participated in Perpetual Adoration at St. Benedict's Church until a few weeks before being hospitalized. She liked bringing meals to Clare House and working in the Archangel Attic. Caryle's family believes she would be honored if others volunteered their time and talents to local charities.

Caryle was preceded in death by parents, Rosemary and Herbert Shea; sisters, Sharon Barrett and Virginia Besler; and husband, John. She is survived by her children, Jackie (Dick) Colosso, Maureen O'Keefe, Mike (Gail) Keefe, Tom Keefe; grandchildren, Tiffani, Brittani, Jessica, Jarod, Aurora, Hans, Karl, Nora; and many great-grandchildren.

Caryle was always a grateful person and never complained despite numerous hospitalizations and years of severe health issues. She was glad to have recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Caryle's family is very thankful for the care and assistance of Providence Hospital, Palliative Care and the hospice team who facilitated a quick transition home allowing her to die with grace and dignity.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 8110 Jewel Lake Road in Anchorage. A Celebration of Life reception will be from 6-8 p.m. at the church.

Monetary donations may be made to St. Benedict's Catholic Church or Lumen Christi School.