Marian O'Keefe

A memorial service was held Sept. 2 for Marian Gary O'Keefe, 84, of Severna Park, who died of cancer Aug. 29 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after a brief illness.

Mrs. O'Keefe previously resided in Towson for eight years and in Westlake Village, Calif., for 10 years. She also spent a great deal of time at Pawley's Island, S.C., over the years. For the past 28 years she was a resident of Berrywood in Severna Park.

Born in Georgetown, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Walker S. and Lola Doub Gary. She earned a degree in vocal performance from the School of Music of Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1942, and soon after moved to New York City where she was an Arthur Murray ballroom dance instructor, performing on his weekly television show, and a June Taylor dancer on the Jackie Gleason Show.

She was married to Geoffrey Ronald O'Keefe on Sept. 29, 1956.

Her interests included all forms of music, tennis, gardening, art, travel and animals. She participated professionally and socially in many venues, two of her favorites being the Village Voices in Westlake Village and the Annapolis Chorale.

In addition to her husband, surviving are two daughters, Lisa M. Testa of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Nancy Dunlap of Galesville; three grandsons; and one sister, Patricia Selby of Charlotte, N.C.

Arrangements were by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

As published in "The Capital Newspaper" Annapolis, MD, Sept. 13, 2005.