O'KEEFE, Elizabeth Anne “Lizzy”

Of Hawthorn.

Passed away peacefully at Winslow on May 24, 2026.

Aged 79 years

Loving eldest daughter of Mollie and Tom O’Keefe (both dec.).

Loved sister of Owen and Janette, and Brigid.

Loved aunt of Allison and George, Caroline and Andrew, Sophie and Colin.

Great aunt of Tom, Charlotte, Owen, Oliver, and Max.

*****

The Funeral Mass for LIZZY will be offered at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Lava Street, Warrnambool on MONDAY (June 1) commencing at 1.00pm.

The cortège will leave the Church at the conclusion of Funeral Mass for the Warrnambool Cemetery.

Click this link to view the livestream of Lizzy's Funeral Mass.

Funeral notice

Service

Monday June 01, 2026, 1:00pm

St Josephs Catholic Church, Lava Street, Warrnambool

Get directions

Cemetery location

Warrnambool Cemetery, Otway Road, Warrnambool

Get directions

View livestream

Tributes

Leave a tribute

What a wonderful friend Liz was to me. Our friendship grew over the years and with each meeting at one of our favourite Melbourne cafes. It began as a working friendship at The University of Melbourne, and when Liz retired we met more frequently, and for longer sessions as we discussed one another’s travel plans and other aspects of our lives.
Firm in my memory is the time Liz, Brigid, David (my husband) and I met in Yangon, Burma. David and I were leaving after exploring the country for three weeks, and Liz and Brigid had only just arrived to begin their journey. We met at the oldest hotel in town, The Strand, and enjoyed high tea in great colonial surroundings.
Another firm and unforgettable memory was during the Covid lockdown in Melbourne. As we both lived in adjoining suburbs, we worked out that we could meet legally at the corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road. We sat on a park bench and sipped takeaway coffee, then set off walking through an array of historic streets. Liz’s local knowledge was indispensable. We both enjoy understanding local history very much, and it was a great outing during such a worrying and constricted time. We repeated the effort again a week or so later, complete with notes and photos of old homes and other buildings in the area. Our friendship grew immeasurably from that point and we continued, after Covid, to do other walks through Melbourne’s historic suburbs and to discuss the detailed planning one or other of us was preparing for an in-depth exploration of a place overseas.
Dear Liz, I will miss you so much. Your stimulating and insightful conversation is irreplaceable to me.

Joan Carr
June 19, 2026 3:08 pm
I had the privilege of working with Liz at the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens. During lunchtime, we had endless chats about footy, travel, food and movies. As a volunteer, she was so dedicated and the nicest person to be around. She will be missed but there are so many memories I’ll cherish.
My condolences to family and friends.

Georgina Ponce De Leon
June 01, 2026 8:41 pm
Dearest Liz,
You were my inspiration, a mentor, work colleague and a friend for over 30 years during our time at The University of Melbounre. I will miss your wisdom, your friendship and most of all our lunches with Sue and Jeffrey. Rest in peace my friend, you will be sadly missed.
Love always,
Maria Ferella

Maria Ferella
June 01, 2026 1:02 pm
It’s a very sad day for all of Lizzie’s friends and extended family. Lizzie was truly “one of the best” and will never be forgotten.
For all of us who are unable to
attend today, we are so grateful that we can avail ourselves of the “Live stream “ and be with you all in spirit.
RIP Lizzie

Megan Lenehan
June 01, 2026 10:58 am
On behalf of the Community at St Joseph’s Mews we offer our sincere condolences to Liz’s family at their sudden loss. In the four brief years that Liz has been with us she has been involved in many of the activities. She was a member of the Residents’ Committee, where she was active in the Garden sub committee making suggestions to encourage more birds to our garden. She was always very warm in her interactions with all residents and we enjoyed hearing about her family and of course her beloved Geelong footy team. She had recently joined a book club and was looking forward to reading and discussing books with her fellow residents. She was a regular member of our card group every second Wednesday evening. We will miss her quiet determined presence in our midst.
May her dear soul rest in peace.

Maureen Farrell
May 30, 2026 2:32 pm
I will miss the weekly 'Go Cats' in the family chat just as the game is about to start. I will miss your gentle warmth and your ever presence in our lives. I will miss the extensive details of the family history stored in your head.

You are missed by all!

Caroline O'Keefe
May 28, 2026 3:44 pm
My deepest sympathy to the O’Keefe family on the passing of Liz.
Liz was a keen family historian who enjoyed exploring the many branches of her extended family. We shared an interest in our joint Conheady ancestry swapping our stories, knowledge and photos. It was a real pleasure to meet with Liz for lunch just last week and to show her some photos of a recent visit to our Conheady ancestral home and farm in Tulla Co.Clare. She was thrilled to see these images as family and farm were always central to Liz’s life.
A privilege to have know such a wonderful person.

Greg Carey
May 28, 2026 11:59 am
Liz was a wonderful friend to many of us who enjoyed her company from her student days at St Mary’s College Melbourne University. We greatly appreciated her commitment to friendship, organising our lunch catch ups over the past decades; her tenacity and courtesy in getting us all together. She was a clever, strong and independent woman who was successful in her career and enjoyed a rich and full life of friendship, music, travel, books, and well informed and stimulating conversation. She will be greatly missed.
Deepest sympathy to her family who were much loved by Liz.

Rhonda Day
May 26, 2026 5:12 pm
Oh no. Dearest Liz was both a friend and an inspiration. She always loved getting back to 'the farm' down in Warnambool. I loved her for many things: her tenacity, her warmth, her advice and frienship. We need more Lizzy's in this world. Much love to everyone left behind. I know how much she loved you (you couldn't shut her when a lunch conersaion turned to family). Vale dearest Liz, to you and all those who loved you ❤️❤️❤️💃

Jeffrey Smart
May 26, 2026 4:34 pm
The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens offer condolences to Liz's family and many friends. She was a much loved and respected volunteer with us for 20 years and wonderful, warm human being with a myriad of interests and insights. We will miss her.

Friends Of The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
May 26, 2026 11:18 am
To Owen and family, thinking of you all at this very sad time. Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies on the passing of Elizabeth. May you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends, and in the many treasured memories you shared together.

Mat & Kylie Deans

Mat Deans
May 25, 2026 8:11 pm

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11 responses to “O’KEEFE, Elizabeth Anne ‘Lizzy’”

Joan Carr says:

June 19, 2026 at 3:08 pm

What a wonderful friend Liz was to me. Our friendship grew over the years and with each meeting at one of our favourite Melbourne cafes. It began as a working friendship at The University of Melbourne, and when Liz retired we met more frequently, and for longer sessions as we discussed one another’s travel plans and other aspects of our lives.
Firm in my memory is the time Liz, Brigid, David (my husband) and I met in Yangon, Burma. David and I were leaving after exploring the country for three weeks, and Liz and Brigid had only just arrived to begin their journey. We met at the oldest hotel in town, The Strand, and enjoyed high tea in great colonial surroundings.
Another firm and unforgettable memory was during the Covid lockdown in Melbourne. As we both lived in adjoining suburbs, we worked out that we could meet legally at the corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road. We sat on a park bench and sipped takeaway coffee, then set off walking through an array of historic streets. Liz’s local knowledge was indispensable. We both enjoy understanding local history very much, and it was a great outing during such a worrying and constricted time. We repeated the effort again a week or so later, complete with notes and photos of old homes and other buildings in the area. Our friendship grew immeasurably from that point and we continued, after Covid, to do other walks through Melbourne’s historic suburbs and to discuss the detailed planning one or other of us was preparing for an in-depth exploration of a place overseas.
Dear Liz, I will miss you so much. Your stimulating and insightful conversation is irreplaceable to me.
Georgina Ponce de Leon says:

June 1, 2026 at 8:41 pm

I had the privilege of working with Liz at the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens. During lunchtime, we had endless chats about footy, travel, food and movies. As a volunteer, she was so dedicated and the nicest person to be around. She will be missed but there are so many memories I’ll cherish.
My condolences to family and friends.
Maria Ferella says:

June 1, 2026 at 1:02 pm

Dearest Liz,
You were my inspiration, a mentor, work colleague and a friend for over 30 years during our time at The University of Melbounre. I will miss your wisdom, your friendship and most of all our lunches with Sue and Jeffrey. Rest in peace my friend, you will be sadly missed.
Love always,
Maria Ferella
Megan Lenehan says:

June 1, 2026 at 10:58 am

It’s a very sad day for all of Lizzie’s friends and extended family. Lizzie was truly “one of the best” and will never be forgotten.
For all of us who are unable to
attend today, we are so grateful that we can avail ourselves of the “Live stream “ and be with you all in spirit.
RIP Lizzie
Maureen Farrell says:

May 30, 2026 at 2:32 pm

On behalf of the Community at St Joseph’s Mews we offer our sincere condolences to Liz’s family at their sudden loss. In the four brief years that Liz has been with us she has been involved in many of the activities. She was a member of the Residents’ Committee, where she was active in the Garden sub committee making suggestions to encourage more birds to our garden. She was always very warm in her interactions with all residents and we enjoyed hearing about her family and of course her beloved Geelong footy team. She had recently joined a book club and was looking forward to reading and discussing books with her fellow residents. She was a regular member of our card group every second Wednesday evening. We will miss her quiet determined presence in our midst.
May her dear soul rest in peace.
Caroline O'Keefe says:

May 28, 2026 at 3:44 pm

I will miss the weekly ‘Go Cats’ in the family chat just as the game is about to start. I will miss your gentle warmth and your ever presence in our lives. I will miss the extensive details of the family history stored in your head.

You are missed by all!
Greg Carey says:

May 28, 2026 at 11:59 am

My deepest sympathy to the O’Keefe family on the passing of Liz.
Liz was a keen family historian who enjoyed exploring the many branches of her extended family. We shared an interest in our joint Conheady ancestry swapping our stories, knowledge and photos. It was a real pleasure to meet with Liz for lunch just last week and to show her some photos of a recent visit to our Conheady ancestral home and farm in Tulla Co.Clare. She was thrilled to see these images as family and farm were always central to Liz’s life.
A privilege to have know such a wonderful person.
Rhonda Day says:

May 26, 2026 at 5:12 pm

Liz was a wonderful friend to many of us who enjoyed her company from her student days at St Mary’s College Melbourne University. We greatly appreciated her commitment to friendship, organising our lunch catch ups over the past decades; her tenacity and courtesy in getting us all together. She was a clever, strong and independent woman who was successful in her career and enjoyed a rich and full life of friendship, music, travel, books, and well informed and stimulating conversation. She will be greatly missed.
Deepest sympathy to her family who were much loved by Liz.
Jeffrey Smart says:

May 26, 2026 at 4:34 pm

Oh no. Dearest Liz was both a friend and an inspiration. She always loved getting back to ‘the farm’ down in Warnambool. I loved her for many things: her tenacity, her warmth, her advice and frienship. We need more Lizzy’s in this world. Much love to everyone left behind. I know how much she loved you (you couldn’t shut her when a lunch conersaion turned to family). Vale dearest Liz, to you and all those who loved you ❤️❤️❤️💃
Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne says:

May 26, 2026 at 11:18 am

The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens offer condolences to Liz’s family and many friends. She was a much loved and respected volunteer with us for 20 years and wonderful, warm human being with a myriad of interests and insights. We will miss her.
Mat Deans says:

May 25, 2026 at 8:11 pm

To Owen and family, thinking of you all at this very sad time. Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies on the passing of Elizabeth. May you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends, and in the many treasured memories you shared together.

Mat & Kylie Deans