Darlene D. Dempsey

Darlene (Shade) Dempsey, age 96, passed away September 2, 2025 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Darlene was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Russell and Adeline Shade where she learned to ice skate and met her husband, Thomas C. Dempsey (d. 2013) at the local Walgreens.

During her adult life, Darlene and Tom lived in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Cleveland, and Michigan until settling permanently in Maumee, Ohio where she enjoyed working at Life Uniform. She also loved to shop, especially at Southwyck Mall, go to the beauty shop, and spend time with close family and friends. Known for her strong-willed spirit and quiet laugh, she often delighted in the fact that most would guess her to be much younger than her nearly 97 years. Darlene hid her age as a close-guarded secret.

She is survived by her 4 children, Cheryl Childers, Thomas R. (Sally) Dempsey, Debra (Carl) Loveall and Michael (Ashlie) Dempsey; her six grandchildren, Amy, Wendy, Carl Thomas (Renate), Steve (Erika), Delaney (Joe) and Dylan; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Friends and family may gather to celebrate her life on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home - West Sylvania Chapel, 3655 King Rd, Toledo.

To share a memory of Darlene or to leave a special message for her family, please visit the Guestbook below.