Cheryl O’Keefe

HUDSON FALLS – Cheryl O’Keefe, born July 4th 1956, of Hudson Falls,  NY, passed away peacefully in her home on April 11th, 2025, surrounded by people who loved her. Cheryl was born in Glens Falls, NY and was the daughter of Leo and Sharon Maynard. In her formative years she was raised in Fort Ann, NY. She was taken from us too soon, but whether by bike, boat, or car she lived her life full throttle.  Cheryl was a vibrant woman with a zest for life and was beloved by everyone she encountered.   

She always had her three sons in her heart Dan, Patrick, and Shaun and a daughter in law Tammy who she loved as her own. Cheryl was many things, but above all Cheryl was the heart and soul of her family, providing support, love, and stability to those around her. She was the one who always showed up, and usually with your favorite homemade treat exactly when you needed it. She was always fun to be around and made the hardest situations bearable. She radiated joy and loved fiercely.  

One of the people she looked up to the most in this world was her father. Her respect and love for him could be seen in her incredible work ethic, can-do attitude, and unshakable moral compass. She also shared his love for anything with a motor. Cheryl took pride in having  meticulously maintained home and yard which was possibly the most beautiful in Upstate New York. Her father taught her to work hard and play harder, and it was a lesson she passed down to her children, and her grandchildren. Cheryl traveled, rode her motorcycle, and attended motor car races until the very end of her life.

Cheryl worked at CR Bard for over 40 years. She grew a great deal as a person in her time there. She was perhaps most proud of obtaining her degree from SUNY Adirondack as a returning adult student. She accomplished many goals and cultivated many long-lasting beautiful friendships throughout her career. No outing with Cheryl was complete until we ran into a coworker and chatted for a time.

Cheryl is survived by her mother Sharon Maynard, her three sons Dan O’Keefe and his wife, Tammy; Patrick O’Keefe, and Shaun O’Keefe, her four siblings Leo “Bummy” Maynard and his wife, Margret; Denise Maynard, Michael Maynard and his wife, Loretta; and Lavon Maynard Hartman. Cheryl had three grandchildren Briana Gaynair, David O’Keefe, and Aidend O’Keefe and also two great grandchildren Traya Gaynair and Mara Gaynair. She is also survived by her boyfriend David Ure, her nieces and nephews Scott Maynard, Ashley Moorehouse, Kristen Calabrese, Joshua Maynard, Coleman Maynard, and Justin Maynard will all miss her greatly.  

A celebration of life will be held in Cheryl’s honor on May 11th from 1-5pm, located at the Hudson Falls American Legion on Pearl Street. Friends and family are being asked to bring a dish to share while we rejoice in her memory and share our best stories.