Dick accepted Early Decision to Dartmouth College

Martha, age 17, at Mayo Clinic having been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer & told they will have to amputate her leg above the knee. Being overwhelmed with flowers (she felt like she was attending her own funeral!) she wore fresh flowers in her hair to cheer up the medical & radiation staff!

Martha’s Andover Senior Yearbook photo, taken days before she lost her hair to chemotherapy in 1977. Given only a 30% chance of living the year out, she wrote this message to her beloved Andover Community.

Martha is accepted at Dartmouth & moves into Mid Fayerweather, where she noticed a cute Junior Dick O’Keeffe (“Ma Fayer’s” Social Chairman) standing on the dorm steps greeting all of us “Lowly ‘shmen”. At that same moment, Dick notices Martha & her smile in the parking lot. Legend has it he was hit with an instant “lightening bolt” and KNEW he was destined to spend his life with her. They started dating a week later, and continued for Martha’s 4 years at Dartmouth!

Dick & Martha at his Dartmouth Graduation

Graduation gift to Dick from Martha. Martha designed & made the entire needlepoint backgammon board including the woodwork!

1980-1982: Dick attends Columbia Medical School in NYC, while Martha attends Dartmouth. Dick & Martha at her 1982 Graduation.

Martha & Dick let each other go to pursue their Dreams: Martha moves to Colorado to train & race for the US Disabled Ski Team.

Dick graduates from Columbia Medical School pursuing his Dreams in Orthopedic Surgery & Trauma.

1983-1988: Martha has a successful career racing for the US Disabled Ski Team winning numerous National & International medals.

While racing for the USDST in 1985-86, Martha auditioned for & won the lead role as “Pepper” in the PBS TV Series “The Second Voyage of the MIMI” with co-star Ben Affleck!

Martha wins the Bronze Medal in Giant Slalom at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. She wins 2 Silver Medals in Slalom & Downhill at the 1988 Paralympics in Innsbruck, Austria. (In 1986, Martha won the Bronze Medal in Giant Slalom & 2nd overall at the 1986 Alpine Disabled World Championships in Sälen, Sweden.)

Martha marries Craig Gaskill: Dick attends their wedding. In appreciation of his love & support during 1978-82 at a critical time in Martha’s life dealing with cancer & her amputation, and giving her the freedom to pursue her Olympic Dreams, Dick is honored by sitting at the Rehearsal Dinner Bridal Table! 1989: Dick marries Celeste Gallagher and welcomes twins Ali & Katie into the World. 1993: Last time Dick & Martha have contact, mostly due to Dick moving 15 times throughout his marriage! 1995: Dick & Celeste welcome Michael O’Keeffe III into the World. 1995: Martha & Craig welcome Leyssandra Gaskill into the World. 2000: Martha & Craig welcome Stacy Gaskill into the World.

Infamous email from Dick, after 28 years of being out of touch, responding to a Group email Martha sent to friends & supporters recapping Stacy’s Amazing 2021 World Cup Snowboard Cross Season!

Dick’s visit to Colorado. First time Dick & Martha have seen each other in 33 years!

Stacy competes in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China finishing 7th in the World!

Late December 2021: Martha is diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer & receives a year of chemotherapy starting February 2022.

Dick moves to Colorado to care for Martha as she undergoes weekly chemotherapy, 3 weeks of daily radiation, countless Dr. appts, acupuncture treatments for resulting neuropathy, and dealing with insurance companies. Not to mention taking care of our daily living and blending 2 dogs in a small apartment! Dick was an AMAZING Personal Assistant, happily doing all with a smile on his face!

In between treatments, Martha took Dick on his 1st camping trip in the beautiful Southwest Desert!

For Martha’s 62nd Birthday they cheered on the Colorado Avalanche who went on to win the Stanley Cup! Ley gave Martha the blue wig for her birthday!😂 Go Avs!

Dick meets Ley & Stacy, and Martha’s nieces before we leave for life on Cape Cod!

Amazing “Welcome Home” Party hosted by Kay O’Keeffe with Dick’s family, many whom Martha hadn’t seen since 1981!

Dick doesn’t waste time getting Martha started on golf lessons at Oyster Harbors!

Dick back playing golf, his favorite pastime, with cousin Bob, childhood friend Mark, & brother Arthur. (All whom Martha has known since 1978!)

Sea kayaking around Grand Island & Oyster Harbors!

Dick & Martha enjoy a fun trip to NYC to see some Broadway shows, visit the MET, experience the 9/11 Memorial, wine & dine, and take a break from chemotherapy treatments!

Dick & Martha on the steps of Mid Fayer 44 yrs after they met there! Martha was named one of the Top 100 Athletes in the History of Dartmouth College! She was invited to speak on a panel of Dartmouth Women Olympians at the Celebration of 50 Years of Women at Dartmouth!

Dick’s Immediate Family: Michael, Katie, Dick, Martha, Isabelle, Ali & Mike.

Cheering on the Boston Bruins at the 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park!

Skiing in Utah!😃

Having a Blast at the Quebec Winter Carnival!

Martha ringing the bell after her Final chemotherapy treatment. She got to ring it twice since that wasn’t a thing back in 1978!

Exploring the incredible Ring Road in Iceland.

Martha’s first cruise: traveling through Scandinavia on Viking.

Reuniting with Lennart & Barbro, Martha’s Swedish au pair from 1962-64. Barbro asked Martha to au pair her 2 daughters in 1979 after her LSA Fall program in Germany ended. Martha passed up on this opportunity in order to be with Dick at Dartmouth since they only had 2 terms left together before Dick graduated.

After one summer of lessons, Martha plays golf with Dick on a course in England with the sheep grazing nearby! (She is definitely hooked on the sport!)

Dick & Martha cheer on Stacy & Team USA (Gold Medalists!) at the U24 Women’s Ultimate Frisbee World Championships in Nottingham, England!

Stacy visits us on Cape Cod!🥰

Nothing like being in love in Venice!!💕 (Start of Viking “Ancient Adriatic Treasures” cruise through Italy, Crotia, Montenegro, Greece, & Türkye.)

The famous Roman Empire Cisterns in Istanbul, Türkye.

Celebrating Dick’s 65th Birthday on Cape Cod with family & friends.

Visiting Ley in Japan over Christmas & the New Year. She has been teaching English in the public schools since August 2022. Typical breakfast & attire in a Traditional Japanese Onsen!

Paper origami cranes we made and hung at the Nagasaki Peace Park and WWII Memorial.

Visiting Martha’s college roommate Dianne in Hawaii on way back from Japan.

Cheering Stacy on with her “Fat Heads” at the SBX World Cup at Mount St Anne’s in Quebec!

Egyptian nomadic camel herders at the Great Pyramids outside of Cairo!

Kissing on camels…not as easy as it looks!😂

Hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings & Queens and the Nile River at sunrise!

Exploring inside ancient Egyptian Pharaohs’ tombs 1000’s of years old!!

The fabulous Treasury carved into the sandstone canyon walls at Petra, Jordon.

Hiking and exploring the incredibly elaborate & colorful sandstone tombs all over Petra, an important stop on the famous Spice Road.

Young Bedouin girls trying to figure out where Martha’s leg went at Petra!

Have leg (and crutches!) will travel!!😃👍

The blue streets & alleys in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

Delicious, romantic, multi course dinner in Marrekesh, Morocco.

Riding camels in the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Lovebirds watching the sunset on the Sahara Desert dunes…

Our cool Berber Desert Tent Camp on the Sahara Desert.

Dick proposes to Martha on the boardwalk at Oyster Harbors Beach!

Proud grandparents of Isabelle 4yrs old & one month old Oliver!💕

Ley visiting us from Japan! Had a great day whale watching off of Provincetown. Saw lots of humpbacks and over 100 dolphins!!

Life is Wonderful!!💕