Lois Dempsey

10/8/1930 - 2/15/2026

With love and sadness, we share that Lois Strickland Dempsey passed away peacefully Feb. 15, 2026, with her family by her side. It meant so much to Lois that, with the devoted care of her daughter Karen, she was able to remain at home in Groton, her whole life.

Born Oct. 8, 1930, in New London, Lois entered the world alongside her twin brother, Lawrence. She was the daughter of George Ledyard Strickland of Quaker Hill and Perla Hunt Strickland of Essex.

Lois experienced profound loss early in life, as she was widowed twice in her twenties. She was predeceased by her husbands, Robert R. Thomas and Jerome J. Dempsey Sr. Her mother Perla, a former teacher, came to live with her and helped raise her children.

In later years, Lois was predeceased by her eight siblings: Vera Adair, Dora Adair, Audrey Trask McCormick, Edith Steward, Ralph Strickland, Winnie Myers, Lawrence Strickland, and a baby sibling lost in infancy.

She is survived by her three children, Pamela Thomas (whose husband, James Murphy, predeceased her), Karen Dempsey and Jay Dempsey (wife, Rhonda Dempsey). She is also survived by her granddaughter, Rachael Dempsey (husband, David Campagna).

Lois graduated from The Williams Memorial Institute (WMI) in 1948. She always spoke fondly of her time there, especially playing trumpet in the marching band. Committed to her education, she went on to attend Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing in New York City, where she became a registered nurse.

She always told us, "You can be anything you want to be." After 20 years as a nurse, she took on a new challenge and returned to school to become an accountant. She earned her bachelor's degree from UConn, became a CPA, and eventually became a partner at Doherty, Beals & Banks in New London.

Lois lived life to the fullest. She volunteered with the Red Cross, loved golfing and bowling with friends, and enjoyed watching UConn women's basketball. She was always cheering on her family, whether in sports, theater, or music. More than anything, Lois loved sitting with family and friends to talk, laugh, and enjoy dessert together.

She was blessed with close family ties and cherished friendships throughout her life. She is lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews, including Carol Adair Munch, Linda Paduano Iacono, and Bobby Myers, as well as her dear friend Connie Stoddard. She was predeceased by her best friend, Alberta Davis, and Alberta's husband, Norm Davis and stepdaughter Louise Dempsey.

She will be missed more than words can say and remembered as the strongest person we have ever known.

Visitation hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday March 2, at Byles Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, at Groton Congregational Church, 162 Monument Street.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation in honor of Lois Dempsey to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory with the family.