Ann Dempsey

February 18, 1930 - April 9, 2022

Born to Katherine and Jeremiah (Jerry) Madden in San Francisco, February 18, 1930. Ann spent her childhood years in Redwood City. She is predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Jeremiah (Bud) and William (Bill). Ann was also predeceased by two sons, John and Christopher (Chris) Dempsey and her husband of 65 years, John Dempsey. Surviving are her three daughters, Kathleen (Kathy) Cupp, Eileen Smith and Maria Chew, and one son, Timothy Dempsey. Three sons-in-law, survive; Bob Cupp, Woody Smith and Brian Chew. Also, surviving are eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Nieces, nephews and cousins contribute to her surviving family.

Much gratitude to all of Ann’s close friends, and especially her life long friend and biographer, Patricia Gilbert

Ann Madden Dempsey was ninety-two,

Her life was ordinary, you might construe.

She gave to others, as we all should do,

That which she gave, was an interest in you.

Diplomacy was best in her broad view,

No sense making an enemy she knew.

Sprinkled with humor and garnished with love,

She was a gift to our family from God above.

From home Ann walked to Mt Carmel school nearby,

And rode the train to Burlingame to attend Mercy High.

With a diploma in hand, she landed a job,

Providing new friends with whom to hob knob. Attending a dance,

She found romance. A proposal blossomed and soon a marriage,

Their six children took their turns in the baby carriage.

She marshaled them all to St Pius School,

Where daily attendance was always the rule.

After her children ventured forth in life,

Ann required more than just being a wife.

An opportunity from someone she knew,

Opened the door and away she flew.

An elite catering service offered a chance,

To work among celebrities, before they would dance.

It filled her with joy, so she worked a long while,

Her black dress and white apron, was the style.

She brought home stories she loved to tell,

And we all gasped and thought they were swell.

When that gig was over and done,

Ann found another source for fun.

Those eleven grandchildren clamored about,

Ann spoiled them they still shout.

She provided each one their favorite food,

Each one felt so special in her loving mood.