Paula Ann Dempsey

Paula Ann Dempsey (nee Sigmund), age 86, of Elyria, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024. She was born February 14, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Edward Sigmund and Pauline (nee Hasznos) Sigmund Bryant and was a 1956 graduate of Grand Valley High School, Orwell, Ohio. On June 24, 1956, Paula married her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Dempsey and they lived in Chardon, Ohio for the first few years of their marriage. During her high school years, Paula worked as a telephone operator and then in the early years of marriage, she was a clerk at Rexall Drug Store in Chardon. In 1966, Paula and Bob moved the family to Elyria. She had a varied career working as a nurse’s aide at Palm Crest West, a dental technician with Turner Dental Lab, and as a salesclerk for Falencki’s Appliance Store and Hess and Hess Pharmacy. In 1974, Paula and Bob started their family business, Dempsey’s Appliance Sales & Service, Inc. on Oberlin-Elyria Road in Elyria. After Bob’s passing in 2021, Paula kept the business operating until February 2023.

Paula was very active in the community and took pride in supporting the organizations in which her children were involved. In 2007, she and Bob received the Elyria Schools and Friends Alumni Association’s Distinguished Volunteer Award recognizing them for their many years of service to the Elyria City Schools. Paula was active in the PTA at Hamilton Elementary School and as a teacher’s aide and room parent. At Franklin Junior High School, she proudly helped the school get it’s first “Franklin Bulldogs” school flag and organized the ninth grade prom. At Elyria High School, Paula was an active member of the EHS Band Boosters as a chaperone of Military Balls and organized the stadium concession stands central supply for many years, extending through the time her granddaughters were in the EHSPMB. Paula also supported Bob during his forty plus years of volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America, Firelands Council. Paula took much pride in the community of the south side of Elyria, and she and Bob were always helping their neighbors. She loved dogs, and Poppy was her favorite companion for the past few months. Paula enjoyed baking and cooking, and her specialties were pies, fruitcakes, chicken paprikas and no family gathering was complete without her homemade applesauce. Paula was a member of LaPorte United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

She is survived by children, Larry (Paula) Dempsey of Farmersburg, IN, Debbie (Mike) Warden of Elyria, Bob (Paula) Dempsey of Wakeman, and Greg (Shelly) Dempsey of Avon; grandchildren, Jason (Ron) Packard, Jennifer (Aaron) Mizenko, Amanda Dempsey, Lysa Warden (Chris Helm), Darcy Warden, Jacob (Alex) Dempsey and Brody Dempsey; nine great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Joyce Lovering of Lakeland, FL and Betty (Jim) Grimes of Auburndale, FL.

Paula is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Bob (2021); mother and stepfather, Pauline and Bill Bryant; father, Edward Sigmund and siblings, Karen Dufur and Edward (Butch) Sigmund.

Friends will be received Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 10:30 am until the time of a 12:30 pm funeral service at Dicken Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 323 Middle Avenue, Elyria with Reverend William Baker officiating. Burial will be in New Russia Township Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to LaPorte United Methodist Church, 2071 Grafton Road, Elyria, OH 44035.

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