Arlene M. Dempsey

Arlene M. (Allen) Dempsey, 62, of Avon CT, beloved wife of Patrick J. Dempsey, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on January 19, 2025. Arlene was truly the most loving, caring, and passionate person that anyone could ever hope to meet. Her infectious smile and warm embrace made you feel welcome from the moment she said hello. Her nature was always to see the good in people, to offer help in any way possible, and always to be there for emotional and physical support.
Born in West Covina, California on September 27, 1962, to Richard S. Allen and Margaret A. (Lahey, Allen) Schmitt, Arlene lived in the Los Angeles area until the age of 16; before moving to Connecticut. She finished her High School education at Simsbury High. She went on to complete her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, in Education, at the University of Connecticut (UConn) before beginning her career as a Special Education teacher working for EASTCONN.
One of Arlene's greatest joys was cooking. She constantly searched for new recipes to master, new restaurants to try, and dishes to explore, all the while only using the healthiest and most nutritional ingredients. Arlene's greatest pride was being a mother and a grandmother. Her mission in life was raising her three children – Shauna, Jason, and Emily – to be kind, responsible, and ambitious individuals. She worked endlessly to instill in them values of being honest and sincere, to stand up for what's right, and to constantly pay it forward. She also loved to travel, meet different people, and explore different cultures, cuisines, and exotic places.
Arlene will be dearly missed by her family. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Patrick J. Dempsey of Avon, CT; her mother, Margaret Allen of San Diego, CA; Daughters, Shauna Dempsey of West Hartford, CT, and Emily Dempsey of Avon, CT, as well as her son, Jason Dempsey of Avon, CT; grand-daughter, Jade M. Dempsey of West Hartford; brother, Steve Allen of Canton, CT; and a loving extended in-law family in Ireland: Elizabeth and husband Alan Meehan, Caroline and husband Tony Molloy, Ruth Dempsey, Alyson and husband James Curran, David and wife Sinead Dempsey, Rachel and husband Neill Molloy, Rebecca and her husband Barry Kavanagh, Selene and her husband Stephen Murphy, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews here and abroad. Predeceased by her father, Richard S. Allen; sister in-law, May O'Toole; and her brother in-law Jason Dempsey.
Calling hours have been scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 4:00-7:00PM at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, CT 06001. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 11:00AM at St. Patrick Church, 7 Burlington Avenue, Collinsville, CT. 06022.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org/donate, or through mail at 2101 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 3200, El Segundo, CA 90245. For directions, online memory, and condolence please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com