Maureen O’Keefe Ward, aka MS Maureen
The back story: a cornucopia of twists and turns. Hails from Biloxi, MS, eldest of 13 children, amazing mom and dad. ‘Interned’ in the convent for 7 years after high school.
Moved north for graduate school at University of Chicago. Met hubby-to-be in the Windy City and wed in Heidelberg, Germany while he was on military duty. Welcomed our first son there.
Back to University of Chicago for hubby’s PhD dissertation and, afterwards, my JD. Clerked for Judge Gee in Austin, TX at 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Practiced law for 20 years, 13 of which as a partner, at Steptoe & Johnson, Washington, DC. Welcomed our second son during that period.
After S&J stint, formed and managed Make Piece/Peace, a 501c3 organization designed to help low-income women (and interested men) learn and practice jewelry entrepreneurship as a vehicle to reach self-sufficiency.
Trying to determine what comes next. Art is certainly in the mix! And some type of public service, as well. And trying to connect more fully with beloved family and friends. All of these activities are food for the soul.
MS Maureen's Musings 
PS Tom Gannon, of course. I usually catch typos, but missed this one!
Hi Maureen, I loved the iPad painting done by your niece of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, remembering those lost at Sandy Hook. Since Roz Morgan, an old friend of mine (I went to Villanova with husband Jim, another old friend), mentioned you were a friend of Tom Gannons, I thought I’d say hello and say I liked your blog. And because we seem to have mutual friends, I once met a girl in Wildwood, New Jersey, from Biloxi, in the sixties. Her name is Sarah Pendlebury, and the chances of you knowing her are about .0005 per cent, but I thought I’d ask anyway, given all the coincidences. I’m glad you like my blog as well! Lovely to meet you via our mutual blogs! Tom
Tom and Ann are two of my favorite people. I met Tom years ago at Steptoe & Johnson where we were both relatively old age-wise – but ‘new’ associates nonetheless. And we had a second big commonality: he was a former Jesuit & I a former nun. In fact, I first heard of him at a firm gathering, when one of the partners approached me and said: you’re the female Tom Gannon. We got a chortle out of that. And then I was doubly happy to meet Ann & realize we had a stint in the convent in common. My husband & I have kept in contact with them over the years, even after he left S&J. And I was pleasantly surprised to see him at the Yellow Barn a couple of years ago when I started going back there for art lessons. And then to know that Roz & Jim knew you. Well . . . it definitely is a small world – happily so.
As for the painting of the Gulf Coast — I fear I didn’t describe its origins clearly enough. My niece took the beautiful photograph & I loved it so much that I decided to paint the iPad painting based on the photo (with her permission of course).
I’m so happy you’re enjoying the blog. And yours is great too. Am spreading the word. Best regards, Maureen.
Hi Maureen, Thanks for all that background. I’m glad you like my blog and I will also pass the word about yours.
Enjoy the play tomorrow night!
Kind regards, Tom
Thanks for all the good wishes & support. M