Obituary of Estelle Catherine Keefer

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, Katherine Estelle Raible Keefer passed away in her home, following a lengthy illness, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Estelle was born, at home, in Boston, PA and on June 28, 1918, and was a daughter of Gottleib and Anna Bach Raible. On Oct. 6, 1941, in McKeesport, PA, she married her husband of almost 38 years, Orpheus Nelson Keefer, who predeceased her on May 18, 1979. Estelle and her husband were in country club management for many years. They later owned and operated the Edge of Town restaurant in Union city, PA and the Ox Yoke Inn in Olean. After her retirement she worked for several years at Sterling Optical and St. Francis Hospital in Olean. For many years, she worked at St. Helen's Church in Hinsdale. She was an active member of St. Bonaventure Church, where she served as the chairperson for the Bonafest ad journal for several years. Bonafest was dedicated to her the year after she turned over the reigns. She was very involved with the March of Dimes annual campaign and their candy bar sales. She was a member of the Lady Knights of Columbus in Olean. Estelle is survived by seven children, Rosemary (the late Larry) Swick of Olean, Neal (Janice) Keefer of Union City, PA, Suzanne (Bob) Pettie of Olean, Rita (the late Gabriel) Pulvino of Erie, PA, Vera (Rick) Wainwright of Windham, Maine, Mark Keefer of Sarasota Springs, FL, and Nancy (Joseph) Sullivan of Kenmore; 20 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Along with her loving husband and parents, Estelle was predeceased by two daughters, Catherine Keefer in 1947 and Patricia Keefer Kmetz in 2014; one grandson, two great grandsons; one great granddaughter; ten sisters; and six brothers. Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., #646 E. State St., Olean, on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bonaventure Church in Allegany, on Tuesday Sept. 20th, 2016 at 10:00 AM. The Rev. James Vacco, will celebrate. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in North Versailles, PA. Online condolences may be made by clicking the button above.