Obituary of Barbara J. Keefe

Barbara Jean Keefe, 68, of 434 Hallock St. left her earthly home to be united with her heavenly father at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, 2013, following a courageous three year battle with pancreatic cancer. A lifelong area resident, she was born July 29, 1945 in Jamestown, NY a daughter of the late Oscar and Mabel Swanson Sampson. Barb was a 1964 graduate of Southwestern Central School and in earlier years had worked as an operator for the former Jamestown Telephone Company. In her youth, Barb enjoyed many years of local horse shows and competition. Her faith, her family and her friends were always a top priority to Barb. He life verse was Proverbs 3:5&6 and she truly lived depending on God and his word. Her life was a reflection of that as she worked with AWANA Bible Club, taught Sunday school at Hillcrest Baptist Church and led a neighborhood bible club for children for over 10 years, sharing God's love to them. She was a long time member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church was a volunteer for Community Helping Hands. Following the birth of her children, she loved being a stay at home mom and was a foster parent for 13 children over 8 years and served as a youth care specialist for the Christian Haven Home for troubled youth in Indiana in 1993. Barb brought great love and laughter to everyone she met and showed an appreciation for the simple joys of life. She has left a powerful legacy and will be missed by many. Surviving are her husband of 47 years Robert J. Keefe whom she married May 28, 1966, her two daughters Jill (Brian) Dejewski of Corcoran, MN, Diane (Shon) Amos of Bolivar, OH, four grandchildren Isaac Dejewski, Joshua Dejewski of Corcoran, MN, Sabrina Zabala, Meghan Zabala of Lakewood, NY, two step-grandchildren Drew Amos, Emily Amos of Bolivar, OH and her brother Sherwood (Jennie) Sampson of Lakewood. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by two sisters Shirley Stevens, Beverly Juul. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Hillcrest Baptist Church. Pastor Mark Hinman and her son in law Brian Dejewski will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the AWANA Club at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 40 Hallock St. Jamestown, NY 14701.