Kathleen J. (Kathy) Dempsey

Kathleen (Kathy) J. Dempsey, 73, of Dunmore, died peacefully and with family by her side at Allied Services Hospice.

Born in Scranton, Kathy was the daughter of the late John B. Sr. and Kathleen “Geary” Nealon Dempsey. She graduated from Marywood Seminary Class of 1967 and obtained her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marywood University in Scranton.

Kathy spent the early years of her career climbing the corporate ladder with management level positions in New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. Upon returning to Scranton, she was the Controller for Ufberg & Associates Law Firm where she worked for over twenty years and was a trusted and loyal friend to all her colleagues but especially to Atty. Bob Ufberg who trusted her implicitly to capably run all financial matters related to the firm, and to “control” all things “A to Z” in the firm including a daily dose of humor. She also performed Accounting/Bookkeeping part time for Spano Construction, Inc. where she became dear friends with owner, Joe Spano, with whom she didn’t mind sharing her opinion on matters from time to time.

Kathy loved her family unconditionally and looked forward to the many Dempsey family gatherings and parties. She was overly generous with her nieces and nephews and was always looking forward to learning about their accomplishments, academically or athletically, including attending most of their athletic events. She maintained a generosity of spirit that was second to none and she opened her home to others, at all times, for either a short visit or a longer stay. In addition to being outspoken, she was a great conversationalist and always had a new story to share, in the wittiest of ways, that would make her listeners laugh uncontrollably with most of these stories ending with one of her famous “one liners.”

Kathy was loyal to a fault and would help anyone at any time, without being asked. She took especially good care of her younger brothers and sisters, by assisting her mother in raising them, when their father died at an early age. She also willingly and happily moved from Chicago, in the late 1980’s, to take care of her mother who was struggling with health issues, again putting her family first and never expecting anything in return.

While Kathy loved her home in Dunmore, which was the family homestead, she adored her cottage at Lake Ariel. When she was young, she spent summers at the lake with her extended family including cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles and she developed a strong and lifelong affinity for Lake Ariel. Later in life, she found tremendous happiness and tranquility at her cottage on the lake where she loved to entertain. She was always known to have enough food and drink to feed an army and where her guests were almost always encouraged, if not mandated, to “please stay overnight” and to always “come back anytime.”

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her cousins, Dr. Edward Cullen and Dr. William Dempsey, as well as the staff at Allied Services Hospice, for the excellent medical care and heartfelt compassion shown to Kathy during her period of illness.

A beloved sister and Aunt, Kathy is survived by her siblings, brother Jack Dempsey, his wife Nancy, and children Atty. Jack (Dr. Jennifer), Brian (Tracey), Bobby (Jennifer), and Ellen Ruane (Michael); brother Richard Dempsey, his wife Dr. Kim, and children Richard Jr. (Michelle), Mitchell (Atty. Jennifer), Dr. Meredith Eschbach (Robert), and Dr. Katie; sister-in-law Honorable Mary Walsh Dempsey and children Jamie, Abigail, Clare and Dorothy; brother Jerry Dempsey, his wife Diana, and children J.J., and Atty. Jordan; sister Jane D. Riggi, her husband Vincent, and children Jimmy (Melanie), Delia Walsh (Paul), and Matthew; and brother Robert N. Dempsey, his wife Ellen, and children Jake and Bobby Jr.; 20 great-nieces and nephews; 21 first cousins that were raised as siblings; numerous godchildren; as well as a wide host of loyal and loving friends.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother Jimmy “Jazz” Dempsey.

The funeral will be Tuesday with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Chestnut St., Dunmore. Interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore. All those attending the funeral service are asked to go directly to the church.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore.

Memorial donations may be sent to Goodwill NEPA in Kathy’s name.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.