Naomi Dempsey, 94, a life long Norwich resident, passed away Sat. morning, April 26, 2014, in the Residential Health Care Facility of Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Naomi was born in Norwich on Oct.8, 1919 the daughter of Clifford and Ina (Graham) Sprague. She grew up in Norwich and was a 1937 graduate of the Norwich High School. At a young age she began a life of hard work by keeping house for her dad. She belonged to a local sorority whose main purpose was to raise money for needy children. This demonstrated Naomi’s true caring personality which she carried throughout her life. A loving and caring mother, along with a good friend to all, she enjoyed making her home a comfortable place to anyone who entered. She enjoyed her baking, especially bread, and camping with the family at Lake Eaton in the Adirondack Mts. Over the years she was employed by Woolworth’s Dept. Store and later was in charge of the Ladies Fashion Dept. at W.T. Grant’s.
On June 3, 1939 in St. Paul’s Rectory she married Edward Dempsey who passed away on Nov. 14, 1973.
Naomi is survivied by her children; Linda Cate and husband Gary of Norwich, Donna Swartout and husband Dennis of Edmeston, Martha March and husband Paul of Illion, Steven Dempsey and wife Patricia of Oxford and Melissa Kennedy and fiancee Robert Cleveland of Sherburne. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren with one unborn.
Besides her husband Ed, Naomi was predeceased by her sons Terrence and Daniel and a granddaughter Theresa McMullen.
A funeral service for Naomi will be held on Wed., April 30, at 2:00 pm from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Wed. from noon until 2 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Central New York Eye Bank, 517 East Washington St., Syracuse, NY 13202.