Frances O'Keefe O'Leary

Frances O’Keefe O'Leary, 95, of Charleston entered eternal rest on March 10, 2024. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Road, James Island. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Monday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway.

Frances was born September 13, 1928, to Margaret Simmonds and Francis Raymond O'Keefe of Charleston. She graduated from Ashley Hall and the College of Charleston and worked for Westvaco until marrying her late husband of 62 years Cmdr. William Edward O’Leary of Milton, MA. As a military family Frances, Bill and their three children traveled across the United States and Europe until his retirement from the Navy in 1970. They settled on James Island and became active members at the Church of the Nativity; her soprano voice was heard often rising above the congregation at Sunday Mass just as it had in Ashley Hall’s Red Choir. Frances’ penchant for interior décor made her home beautiful and welcoming, and her acumen as a gifted listener and great chef made her friends of all ages over the years. She supported charities in perpetuation of the Catholic faith, food security for the poor, cancer research and help for homeless children. She was always very close to her older sister Margaret O’Keefe and helped care for her until her passing in 2016.

Frances is survived by her children, Kevin J. O'Leary of Charleston, Frances R. “Mona” O’Leary of James Island, Martin G. O'Leary and his wife, Elizabeth and her grandson, Gregory M. O’Leary of Pearland, Texas.

The family wants to give special thanks for the superb work by her caregivers Jametta Richardson and Rosellen Green, as well as Linda Gunnin and Pamela Williams from Roper Hospice nursing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Autism Speaks ( www.autismspeaks.org ).

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.