Katherine (Kathy) Mary O’Keefe Stanley, age 71, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed peacefully at United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen surrounded by family June 3, 2024.
Kathy was born to Edward and Katherine (Kay) (Sullivan) O’Keefe and grew up in New Rochelle, New York, with her older brother Edward (Eddie). Her home was lively and she always valued a sense of family and loyalty to those around her. As a child, she loved The Beatles, Elvis Presley and dancing.
Kathy was a graduate of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York, where she received her bachelor’s degree; she received her master’s degree in education from New Rochelle College in New Rochelle, New York. She married her husband James (Jim) Stanley in 1975 and, after having their two loving daughters, Elizabeth and Jennifer, they moved to Shrewsbury, where they spent 36 years. In 2021 they moved to Warwick, New York, and then to Bristol Glen in Newton in 2023.
Kathy started her career in education in New Rochelle before teaching at Red Bank Primary School for several years and St. James Elementary School in Red Bank for 10 years. Kathy poured her heart and soul into whatever came her way, whether it was for her students or her loving family. She was a charismatic advocate and leader. She was fearless in all her endeavors and it showed in all she did.
She loved books, talk radio and music. Her love of music and talk radio was evident throughout her life and it was rare for a day to go by without music or WCBS 880 playing in the background.
To know Kathy was to know that she lived for her husband and daughters. Whether it was driving her girls to Kathryn Barnett Dance School, sports activities, school dances, Loyola College or Fairfield University, Kathy was at the center of it all. She loved spending time with them at one of the various beach clubs in Sea Bright, where they spent every day of their summer breaks. Kathy loved shopping with her daughters at the Monmouth Mall, watching a good Hallmark movie or “Dancing with the Stars” and was ecstatic when it was time to plan their weddings, enjoying every moment.
Kathy also enjoyed spending time with her college friends (the Mounties) and her fellow teacher friends from St. James.
Kathy was blessed to become “Nana” to Mila, Mary Kate and Lorelai and loved teaching them how to read, talk and love life. Kathy loved spending time with Jim on one of their yearly trips to Cape May, daily walks along the boardwalk in Sea Bright and Pier Village in West Long Branch, and along the lakefront at Wickham Woodlands in Warwick.
Kathy was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by James, her husband of 49 years; her two daughters, Elizabeth (Radim) Horak and Jennifer (James) Rustwick; and three granddaughters, Mila and Mary Kate Horak and Lorelai Rustwick. She also leaves behind her brother Edward O’Keefe, many nieces and nephews and her extended family, including many cousins.
Visitation was June 10 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 11 at St. James Church, Red Bank. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
Donations can be made in memory of Kathy to the Alzheimer’s Association, United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen, or the charity of your choice.
The article originally appeared in the June 13 – 19, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
