b. 12 June 1945

d. 26 July 2026

Michele joined the risen on July 26th, 2026. She is survived by her beloved McQueens: husband Timothy, son William (Kathryn) and grandsons Colin and Jack. She is also survived by her nieces, Madigan and Liza, her sisters-in-law Suzanne Sylvester, Kathryn Tector and Audrey Bourdeau. Michele was preceded in death by her first husband Roy Tulane O’Keefe, her parents Robert and Claire and her brother Robert.

Michele treasured her education starting with her high school years at Regina High School. There, she was taught by the Religious of Jesus and Mary that a woman can be whatever she defines herself to be. And in the company of many talented “Reggies” and her mentor Alan Monkewicz, she discovered that it was OK for a girl to want to study Mathematics. Michele kept the Reggies close throughout the years by frequent trips back for reunions and “Spring Teas” and zoom calls during the pandemic of 2020.

After Regina, Michele studied math at Catholic University in Washington D.C. It was here that she met and fell in love with Roy O’Keefe. She became grounded in a Resurrection theology that would see her through many years of different experiences of sadness and joy. One week after her graduation, Michele and Roy were married and eight months later he was killed in Vietnam during the TET Offensive.

In August of 1968, God blessed Michele with a new love in Timothy McQueen. They were married on 22 August 1970 and moved to Milwaukee where their son William was born on 21 November 1976. In Milwaukee, Michele embarked on a career in Information Technology with the City of Milwaukee and later Wisconsin Telephone Company. She struggled with trying to balance motherhood and career but was never sure she totally succeeded.

In 1979 Tim, Michele and William moved to St. Louis where they would all eventually settle down to permanent roots. At Southwestern Bell, Michele was able to continue to pursue her career including an opportunity for the family to live in Mexico City, Mexico for a two year assignment. Again she was never sure that her ambition was worth the family sacrifices. She continued her education and earned a Master in Data Processing degree from Washington University in 1987 and later taught in their Graduate School for several years.

Michele retired from AT&T in the spring of 2000. In 2001 she went back to work as a Process Improvement Specialist at the Boeing Company. She retired for good in January 2011. She devoted her free time to expanding her interests in photography, needlework and card making. She took courses in photography, flower arranging and sewing.

She enjoyed traveling with Tim, sailing on twenty-two ocean cruises and four river cruises. She was able to cross off many “bucket-list” destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, Africa, the Galapagos and Stonehenge.

She will be remembered for her kindness, deep Catholic faith and generosity.

Visitation:  9:30 am Friday 28 August 2026

Incarnate Word Catholic Church

13416 Olive Blvd.

Chesterfield, MO 63017