Joan Catherine O'Kane

Joan Catherine O'Kane May 8, 1927 - May 28, 2018 Joan “Maudy” O’Kane, 91, a Pennsylvania native who helped open several Washington, D.C., area centers for senior citizens and then enjoy a long retirement in the state of Florida, died of complications following a stroke on Monday in her St. Augustine home. Mrs. O’Kane was born in Scranton, PA, in 1927 in the heart of Pennsylvania coal country. Her father, Edward Patrick Keary, died several months before her birth, the victim of an industrial accident. Her early life was a struggle in the years before the modern safety net. Nonetheless, she was one of the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Marywood College in Scranton, PA, majoring in Library Science. She met her future husband, Cornelius O’Kane, while working in the library at Fort Holabird in Baltimore. Mr. O’Kane, a voracious reader, was stationed in the Army Intelligence School there. They were married in 1956. Mr. and Mrs. O’Kane moved to Virginia where Mr. O’Kane became Personnel Director of Fairfax County. It was during this time that Mrs. O’Kane became active in programs for the poor and the aged. She was active in Christ House in Alexandria and Dwelling Place in Washington. She was one of the founders of Harvest House, in Southeast Washington, often walking the streets to invite senior citizens to the center’s programs. When her and her husband retired in 1991, they hit the road in a trailer, visiting all of the lower 48 states before settling in St. Augustine in 1995. In Florida, the O’Kanes were active volunteers at Saint Francis House and St. Anastasia Catholic Church. A lover of show tunes and movies, Mrs. O’Kane lead line dances at St. Anastasia. Mrs. O’Kane was active in book clubs until her eyes began failing just before the end of her life. Mrs. O’Kane had five children, Cornelius O’Kane of Roslyn, PA, Joan Betz of Manassas, VA, Karen O’Kane of Blacksburg, VA, Maureen Hill of Atlanta, GA, and Edward O’Kane of Arlington, VA. Mrs. O’Kane was a frequent traveler, flying to Atlanta, Philadelphia and Virginia to visit her 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 2009. Her sister, Angela, and her mother, Catherine Cleveland also predeceased her. She is also survived by three brothers, Harry, Danny, and John Cleveland A viewing and remembrance will be held at St. Anastasia Catholic Church Wednesday, May 30 from 5-7 p.m. with Vigil Services beginning at 5 p.m.m A Mass of Christian Burial will be take place on Thursday, May 31 at 9 a.m. at the church. Interment will be later in the year in Hawley, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made Medical Missionaries Inc. 9590 Surveyor Court, Manassas, VA 20110. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. http://videos.lifetributes.com/897078