Irene L. Dempsey
PORTLAND – Irene L. Dempsey, 95, of Portland passed away peacefully on Jan. 29, 2021 at her residence. Born in Fall River, Mass. on Jan. 3, 1926, the daughter of John E. and Marie A. Dempsey.
Irene attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Portland and then went on to obtain her nursing certificate from Maine General Hospital School of Nursing.
Irene worked as a nurse at Maine Medical Center supervising the Blood Bank for many years, while living with and caring for her aging parents. After her retirement, she continued to serve as a volunteer at Maine Medical Center, working over 2500 volunteer hours. She also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland and at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Portland, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also known to keep her favorite parish priests well supplied with home baked cookies.
In her younger years she was active and social. She loved to ski and made trips to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine with work friends. She also enjoyed bowling with friends in a bowling league, something that she did into her 90’s. After her retirement, she continued to remain very active and full of energy. Irene and her friend Ann Howard took a planned and much anticipated “trip around the world” traveling by rail through many countries including China and India, before returning home to Portland.
Irene loved her family and enjoyed spending time at her niece’s and nephew’s homes in Massachusetts, especially during the holidays. She also enjoyed a vacation trip to Alaska with two of her nieces. And later a trip to Las Vegas with her niece Susan.
One of Irene’s final wishes was to be able to stay living in her home in Portland and to live as independently as possible. When life at home alone became challenging, she was only able to remain in her home due to the watchful assistance of her loving and dear neighbors and friends Nancy and Charlie Perry, who were like “guardian angels” and were always there for her. Her family would also like to thank the caring workers from Aging Excellence, who were there for her 24 hours per day helping her live her remaining years happily and safely in her home. Her family would also like to thank the Hospice workers from Northern Light Hospice who provided compassionate care during her final days. For their help, her family is eternally grateful.
Irene was predeceased by her parents; her sister Lauretta Dunn and Lauretta’s husband Joseph W. Dunn, Jr.; as well as her late Aunt Ella Dempsey. She is also survived by her nieces, Susan I. Dunn, Kathleen M LaFauci, Joanne T. Fitzgerald, as well as her nephew Joseph J. Dunn. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews who were always loved.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland, Maine on Saturday Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. Both events will be live streamed for those not able to attend at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
You may offer your condolences or share you fond memories at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
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