It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Noreen Elizabeth O’Keefe, who left us on July 30, 2024 at age 73. Noreen was born to Catherine Schwalm and James Charles O’Keefe and grew up in the suburbs of Toronto with her three siblings. Noreen dedicated her life to the protection and wellbeing of children and moved to Prince George, BC in 1975 to begin working for the Ministry of Child and Family Services. She met her husband Scott at the Prince George Crisis Intervention Society and gave birth to daughter Claire in 1988. After receiving her Bachelor of Social Work and, while she worked, continued her studies and graduated from UNBC in 2003 with a Masters in Social Work.
Noreen spent over 25 years as a social worker. After Prince George, the Ministry transferred her to Vancouver Island. Post retirement, Noreen found a new passion and way to help others by becoming a licensed Hypnotherapist in 2013. She enjoyed the pursuit of learning thoroughly and was an avid reader and prolific writer. Survived by her daughter Claire, son in law Cameron, ex-husband Scott, sister Trudy and brother Michael, Noreen had a profound impact on her loved ones and will be forever missed.
A service for Noreen will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2:00 pm, in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria. For those unable to attend in person, the livestreaming link is below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82779069077?pwd=Avs5KKIiVj5jA5n7gjOizaGfsjdxp5.1
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Greg Beattie
We were shocked and saddened at Noreen’s sudden passing. As a dear friend in our early days in Prince George we spent many a happy time together. Greg, Noreen, Scott and Jane were room mates for a time as well. Noreen was a caring and compassionate person who gave of herself willingly to help others and make our communities better and safer places to live. She will be greatly missed by us all. Jo and I unfortunately cannot make the service in person as we are organizing a music festival on that day. But we will attend via Live Stream (thank you for this option).