Laila Karlsson O’Keeffe, 86, wife of Austin O’Keeffe and mother to Timothy and Jennifer O’Keeffe, left us on Wednesday, July 22nd after suffering a period of dementia with patience, grace and good spirits. Laila was born in Sweden to Karl and Jenny Andersson in the countryside near Gothenburg, the youngest of eight girls. She trained as a laboratory technologist at the Karolinska Institute in Gothenburg. After striking out alone to the United States, she found employment at hospital research laboratories in Lexington, Kentucky, San Francisco, California and finally Beth Israel in Boston, Massachusetts.
In Boston she had many friends in expatriate groups, one of which was the Boston Rugby Club where she was to meet her future husband. Dating led to engagement and marriage, with a wonderful family gathering in Gothenburg. A son was born while they lived on Beacon Street in Boston. Austin’s employment in radiology took them to Exeter, New Hampshire, where they lived for two years and where Laila gave birth to their daughter. Work opportunities took them back to the Greater Boston area and settlement in Manchester-by-the-Sea, where they have resided for 50 years.
Laila made many friends through her art, painting in oils and watercolors, and through membership in garden clubs. Laila was never happier than when she could tend to flowers in her garden. Family dogs were also lucky to have Laila as their caretaker. She delighted in hosting dinner parties as she was an accomplished cook, and these became cherished events among their circle of friends. But her most special times were in the pride and joy she got from raising her children.
She found time to get an Associate’s Degree in Interior Design from Endicott College and was a welcome advisor to friends who valued her eye and taste. While she exhibited her artwork locally, her own home was her greatest showcase, filled with her paintings, murals and traditional Scandinavian design.
Over the years she travelled widely, in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, while always maintaining close ties with her family in Sweden. Many of those travels were related to boating, which was a main family pursuit.
Laila was a member of SWEA, a Swedish organization and also had memberships of Essex County Club and Manchester Yacht Club. Laila is survived by her husband Austin, son Timothy and his wife Goinaz, her daughter Jennifer
and her husband Charlie, and granddaughter Winona. She is also survived by her sister Ulla in Sweden, with numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be planned. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the O’Keeffe Radiology Fund at Beverly Hospital or Old Farm Rockport Supportive Living.
