Mildred Dempsey passed away June 25, 2016, at the age of 101. She is now at peace with her Lord and Savior.
Mildred was born Sept. 14, 1915, in Cadillac, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her family moved to Vancouver, B.C., when she was nine. The stories Mom would tell from her childhood on the prairie are almost hard to comprehend in our modern world.
Mildred was born to Emma Jane Caswell and Rev. Samuel Wesley Caswell, a Free Methodist pastor. When Mildred finished her schooling in Canada, she was offered a chance to hone her skills in the United States, where she attended Seattle Pacific College (now SPU).
During the Depression, her work history landed her a job with Standard Oil, now known as Chevron, where she was the executive secretary for the head of three states. During this time, “Youth For Christ” was very popular and Mildred was a talented piano player. She was called on regularly to accompany rallies held in the Seattle area.
While living in Seattle, she married Ralph Dempsey, a Coast Guard member.
When he retired in 1962, they decided to move to Oak Harbor, where she lived until her passing. During this time, Ralph suffered a severe stroke which he survived for 10 years thanks to the care of Mildred. Mildred kept her sanity during this time by working a large backyard garden, a cornucopia of vegetables and fruits which kept her busy from dawn ‘til dusk.
Preceding her in death is Ralph, her husband of 50 years; her brother Ira H. Caswell, who also lived until the age of 100 and owned his own business; and Edith M. Caswell, a beloved teacher who travelled the world teaching until the age of 95. Mildred will be dearly missed by her son Russell, and is also survived by four nieces, Ann, Lois, Beverly and Kathy – all daughters of her brother Ira.
Memorials may be given to any group or church that spreads the Gospel. The Dempsey family attended the First Reformed Church for many years. Many wonderful friends were made during her lifetime. A memorial is currently being planned – date and location to be announced.
