ROCK ISLAND — Ann L. Keefe, 82, of Rock Island, died March 8, 2016 at UnityPoint Health - Trinity, Rock Island.

Mary Ann Litherland was born May 28, 1933, in Vincennes, Indiana, the daughter of Raymond E. and Dorothy C. Albietz Litherland.  She attended Urbana High School, where she served as editor of the school paper, president of the Student Council, and was Salutatorian of her graduating class.  Ann went on to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she participated in many campus organizations, including Pi Beta Phi, Illini Union Student Activities and Mortar Board.  She earned her B.S. from the College of Commerce and made Bronze Tablet in 1955.  After college, Ann attended the University of Illinois College of Law, where she served as assistant editor of the Law Review and earned her J.D. in 1958.  During her time on the Law Review, she met Edward Keefe, who was the editor-in-chief.  They were married on August 16, 1958.

The couple lived in Danville and Sterling before moving to Moline in 1960, and then Rock Island in 1966.  Ann served as an assistant state's attorney for eight years and later worked for the Illinois Appellate Court for twenty years as a law clerk to Judges Richard Stengel, Tobias Barry and Tom Lytton.

Ann maintained a lifelong commitment to public service.  She was active in many school, church and civic organizations.  Notably, she was Chair of the Board of Trustees of Franciscan Health System and was instrumental in helping negotiate and implement Franciscan's merger with United Health System of Moline to form the Trinity Regional Health System.  Ann's book describing those events, Anatomy of a Merger: The Trinity Story, was published by East Hall Press in 1999.  Although Ann's campaign for Rock Island County State's Attorney in 1988 was unsuccessful, she ran for and was elected to the Rock Island City Council in 2003 as 6th Ward Alderman.  She was a role model to many and a leader by example.

Ann was devoted to her family and loved them unconditionally.  She was an amazing mother who taught her children to be strong and independent.  She attended innumerable sporting events, offered support and encouragement through life's ups and downs, and gave timely, sound advice without judgment.  Ann was an avid reader who was equally happy reading to her grandchildren.  She was a passionate fan of the Chicago Cubs; family trips to Wrigley Field were a highlight.  Ann also enjoyed cooking holiday meals, gardening, attending church, writing short stories, taking naps, laughing, knitting Christmas stockings, discussing politics, running meetings, and generally being engaged.  Her smile, her humor and her caring spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Ann is survived by her sister, Kay Litherland, Arlington Heights, IL; daughter Elizabeth (Michael Heath) Keefe, Rock Island, and her three sons, Matthew, Mark (wife, Sara) and Michael Swartz; son, Daniel Keefe, and his wife, Melodie, Bloomington, IL, and their children, Patrick and Madison; daughter, Sarah Appino, and her husband, James, Rockford, IL, and their children Jake, Joey and Samantha; great grandchildren Logan, Ellis and Ruby Swartz, Rock Island; sisters-in-law Dolores Thiel, San Diego, CA, and Carole Jones, Big Rapids, MI; and 12 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Edward Keefe, and her parents.

Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.  Services will be private.

Memorials can be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, the National Stroke Association or a favorite charity.