Cover photo for Marion M. Dempsey's Obituary
Marion M. Dempsey Profile Photo
1932 Marion 2008

Marion M. Dempsey

November 24, 1932 — August 26, 2008

Marion M. (Rankine) Dempsey passed away in peace at her home in Mansfield Center on Tuesday August 26, 2008, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1932, the daughter of Alexander M. and Laura I. Rankine. Marion moved with her family to Detroit soon after, becoming in the process a United States citizen. She received a B.S. from Eastern State University (Michigan), and went on to earn an M.A. from Michigan State University in 1963. She married Richard Allen Dempsey in 1952, their son Stuart being a product of that union in 1965. Marion lived in the Storrs-Mansfield area for nearly forty years. She taught first grade in the Manchester public schools for over twenty-one years, where she was a fixture and perennial favorite of students and coworkers until her retirement in 1995. Marion was active in fundraising efforts for cancer organizations. She was also a member of the Humane Society and loved animals, especially dogs and the birds and squirrels who were constant visitors to her yard. She was an avid reader and also loved the beach, traveling frequently to Maine to enjoy the shore with her friends and to annual reunions with her siblings in Michigan. Marion was dearly loved by those who knew her and will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all those who were touched by her kindness and generosity: the world will be a little less luminous at her passing. Marion is survived by a son and daughter in law, Stuart R. and Jean L. Dempsey of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; a brother and sister in law, Alexander and Yvonne Rankine of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Laura Hack of Sterling Heights, Michigan and Annetta Swope of North Fort Myers, Florida; her former husband, Richard Dempsey of Ridgefield, Connecticut; a grand-dog, Bailey; and a host of loving and loyal friends. All will cherish her memory forever. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 2:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. There are no calling hours. Marion requested that no flowers be sent, but that memorial donations be made instead to the American Cancer Society, 548 Preston Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450. For online memorial guestbook and directions, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .
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