Maurine Eisenmenger

Maurine “Mimi” O’Keefe Eisenmenger, age 92, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023 in her home at Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Born in Plainfield, NJ on February 13, 1931, to Marion Rose and Maurice David O’Keefe, Mimi grew up in Summit, NJ, and later graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township, NJ. She moved to Winston-Salem, NC where she met her husband, Val Eisenmenger, and in 1955 they began a beautiful life together. She cherished her roles of wife, mother, and Nana throughout her life.

Mimi devoted her life to God, family, church, and multiple civic and humanitarian organizations. Her devout Catholic faith guided her throughout her life, encouraging her volunteer efforts such as delivering Meals on Wheels, leading the Tarheel Triad Girl Scouts, working with Habitat for Humanity, installing Lifeline alarm systems for the elderly, and serving in the Auxiliary at Forsyth Memorial Hospital.

Mimi was active in many church-related functions at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Winston-Salem. She served on the parish council, was president of the parish chapter of St. Theresa’s Guild, sang in the choir, was a lector at Mass, and also served as a Eucharistic minister. In her later years, she relocated to Lynchburg, where she continued her journey of faith with the Holy Cross Catholic Church community where she was involved with the Ladies of Charity.

Westminster Canterbury became her new home and she often commented on the generosity and kindness, not only of the residents but also of the many people who assisted in her care.

Mimi was an avid baker and was especially well known for her coconut oatmeal cookies. She loved a good game of bridge, Tripoley, or other card games with friends or family. She will be remembered as having a joyous laugh and a kind heart.

She is survived by three children: Thomas Eisenmenger (and wife Sandra) of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Jennifer Charlton (and husband Clark) of Lynchburg, VA and John Eisenmenger (and wife Ann) of Pittsburgh, PA and eight grandchildren (Jessica, William, Benjamin, Patrick, Michael, Seth, Grant, and Evan). She was predeceased by her husband of forty years, Val Eisenmenger, her father, Maurice D. O’Keefe, her mother, Marion Rose O’Keefe, her sister, Sheila O’Brien, an infant daughter, Elizabeth, and an infant son, Paul.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lynchburg with an interment to follow at Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church at 10:15A.M. on Saturday, December 16, 2023. As Mimi cared for those around her, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Southwest Virginia Health Wagon, the Holy Cross JOY fund, Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.