Obituary

Maureen Ann (Keohane) Guithues was born August 18, 1934 in Los Angeles, to Frank & Doris (Robinson) Keohane. Growing up in the Los Feliz neighborhood, she graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1952. At Immaculate Heart College, she obtained a degree in Fine Arts in 1956.

Although formally trained as an artist by Sister Mary Corita Kent while at Immaculate Heart, Mom’s career was dedicated to teaching in the elementary level and G.A.T.E. programs. Mom wrote her Masters Thesis (in the early 80’s) on the integration of computers into the classroom, with an eye to facilitating gifted students who learn at an advanced pace.

In the fall of 1958, she returned from a trip to Europe with her parents to find their home in ashes. Her mom, a past president of the local Catholic Alumnae Club, encouraged her to attend their next social, where she danced with Don Guithues of Huntington Park. They married on July 23, 1960, and had three children, Ann, Alana, and Mark. For the next three decades they raised their family in Hacienda Heights. In or about 1995 they lived out their dream of building a custom home in San Clemente, where they joyfully resided until her passing.

Mom was an exceptionally talented artist who had a passion for painting and handwork. She loved travelling and was an avid reader – particularly anything about Kennedy or Lincoln. She was particularly good at keeping track of old friends, many of whom she had regularly written since childhood. Mom wrote hundreds of notes, letters and Christmas cards each year.

Preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Frank Keohane, and her brother, Frank, Mom is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Don. She has two daughters: Ann Maureen Bender (Charlie) and Alana Marie McKeag (Steve) and a son Mark Guithues (Kristen); and seven grandchildren: Kelsey McKeag, Courtney McKeag (Cory) Helms, Cole Dispalatro, Chris and Carter Guithues, Kelly and Jack Bender.

Mom passed early Christmas morning, peacefully in her sleep. Heartbroken at her passing, we are relieved she is no longer bound by dementia and immobility. Please join us in celebrating Mom’s life as closely reflective of her Catholic faith traditions as COVID allows.

ROSARY. The Rosary is scheduled for Thursday January 7^th from 2:00-3:ish. Mom was often praying for us, and the Rosary was one of her favorites.  This Rosary will be presided over by the Reverend Father John Griffin (Ret.), Mom’s nephew.  Ann, Alana and I would like you to join us in praying for Mom, for Dad, for ours and your families.  Please know that you need not be Catholic to pray with us, you only need to be present. The words are easy, the yoke is light, Attendance is Electronic Only. Go to the attached or below e-mail and utilize “OneRoom” for the Rosary (only). Practice the links well before 2pm on Thursday, and call O’Connor Mortuary at 949 581 4300 if you are unable to connect. You may need to register, or utilize an Event ID: OCONNOR, or a Password: TPNAHF. It’s recorded, you can defer watching it if you are busy.

WAKE. Mom’s a Keohane, Irish as County Kerry. The Wake starts at 6pmon Thursday January 7th.  IMPORTANT: Please calendar this as it is the Wake, Reunion, and the Reception! Get home early, open a bottle of Jameson, and join us. This will be presided over by Mary Holley and Alannah Chase, Mom’s nieces. Note that Dad, Ann, Alana and I are exhausted from Mom’s long illness. We are anxious to restore/replace the last 4 years with your memories from happier times. So, light, fun, comical, happy remembrances of our mother will be warmly rewarded with extra shots. Use ZOOM (not OneRoom) Meeting ID: 844 6529 0367, Passcode: 126238 

CATHOLIC FUNERAL MASS and BURIAL. January 8^th, Mass at 11am, Interment immediately thereafter. Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside. Note: this event is outdoors, social distanced, masked and limited to 25 attendees, so please just call us to reserve your attendance.