Sally Ann Dempsey, age 83, of Morgantown, passed away on December 18, 2018, at her home, with her family by her side.
She was born in Jersey City, N.J., on December 18, 1935, a daughter of the late Thomas and Emma Griffin (Ross), and later grew up in Hoboken, N.J., with her mother and late step father, Larry Ross.
Sally was a graduate of Saint Michael’s high school, in Union City, N.J., and Jersey City Medical Center School of Nursing in 1957. She also attended Seton Hall University. She practiced as a registered nurse in N.J. and at West Virginia University Hospital, in Morgantown, from 1975 to 1985. Sally then decided to change careers from nursing and became a realtor. Sally began her real estate career in 1987, with Dorsey-Kiger Real Estate (now Old Colony), in Morgantown, and retired in 2012. She maintained very close friendships with many of her realtor colleagues through the years.
In her earlier years in Morgantown, Sally and her husband were members of the Pines Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf, tennis, and looking after her young ones at the pool. Sally enjoyed dancing as a ballerina in her very early life to kicking it up at the former Cotillion Dance Club (and friends parties) in Morgantown. She loved gardening and watching birds, in later years and enjoyed entertaining friends and neighbors at her infamous ‘Zen garden’, which included pink flamingos. She also enjoyed reading. Sally was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. John H Dempsey; four children, John Dempsey, of Bluffton, S.C., David Dempsey, of San Francisco, Emily Dempsey, of Charlotte, N.C., and Thomas Dempsey, of Morgantown; a brother, James Ross and dear sister-in-law, Janice Ross, of New York, N.Y.; niece and godchild, Jennifer Ross; and two nephews, Michael (and Christine) Ross, and Stephen (and Melissa) Ross, all of N.Y.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation services will be provided by Hastings Funeral Home, Omega Crematory.
Friends and family will be received at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Avenue, Star City, from 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, until the celebration of the Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. with Father John V. DiBacco, Jr., as celebrant. Entombment will follow with the family in St. Mary’s Peace Garden Mausoleum.
A Celebration of Sally’s life will be held after the service at the Dempsey’s home residence, 609 Schubert Place, Morgantown, from 1 – 5 p.m. on Dec 27. Her family would like to invite everyone to please bring photographs or stories to share.
A separate celebration will be held at a later date on the Jersey shore, as per Sally’s wishes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sally’s name to Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, St. Ursula’s Food Pantry and Outreach, PO Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26546, or the WVU School of Nursing, 6700 Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV 26506.
Condolences: hastingsfuneralhome.com
