Ms. Ruth F. Dempsey

A full life, well lived

WATERBURY - Ruth (Fallon) Dempsey, age 101, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the VITAS Hospice Unit of St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness. She was the widow of her beloved husband of 62 years, Xavier J. Dempsey.

A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Ruth was born on March 29, 1923, in Waterbury, daughter of the late Martin and Anna (Byrnes) Fallon. She was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School, Class of 1942. Besides being a proud homemaker and Mother, she was employed at Scovill Manufacturing, Francis T. Zappone Company, and Mattatuck Bank. In addition, for many years she applied her sewing talents to the creation of scores of uniforms for local dance schools and softball teams. 

Ruth was an avid traveler, both before and after retirement. Favorite destinations included Ireland, Cape Cod, and California. With her husband Xavier, she celebrated many Christmases at their beloved Rosedon Hotel in Bermuda, usually staying in Room #39. 

Ruth was devoted to community service, as a member of the Madonna Guild at Saints Peter and Paul Church and as longtime treasurer of both Waterbury TRIAD, the non- profit program for seniors, and the Waterbury Mill Plain chapter of AARP.

Ruth is survived by two sons, John G. Dempsey and his wife, Leslie of Waterbury and James X. Dempsey and his wife, Joan Williams, of San Francisco, three grandchildren, Patrick Dempsey of Waterbury, Nicholas Williams of Washington, D.C., and Rachel Dempsey of Colorado; and a great-granddaughter, Livia Williams Dempsey of Colorado. We love you Ruth and already miss you very much.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to NCE Homecare, with special gratitude to Jamie, Maria, Natividad, and Amanda, who provided excellent and attentive care during the final years of Ruth’s life, and to nurses Jesse and Erin on Xavier 3 at St. Mary’s Hospital and the staff of VITAS Hospice Unit, who made Ruth comfortable in her final days.

Funeral services for Ms. Dempsey will be held on Monday, September 9th, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Leo the Great Church 14 Bentwood Drive Waterbury, CT 06705. All those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the Dempsey family on Sunday afternoon from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 1987 East Main St., Waterbury 06705. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the Dempsey family, please visit our website at www.caseyfunerals.com