Lourdes passed away on March 9, 2022, at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario after a brief illness. Lourdes had celebrated her 90th birthday in the summer of 2021 surrounded by her loved ones. Born into a large farming family in Jacquet River, NB, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur Dempsey and Mildred (Doucet).
Lourdes married her teenage sweetheart Jerry, who became a pilot in the RCAF, and together they travelled widely and raised a family. Lourdes was a devout Catholic belonging to the Parish of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in the Hintonburg neighborhood. She will be missed by her brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lourdes is survived by her sons Robert (grandson Evan) of Montreal and Cameron of Ottawa, and her daughter Catherine (husband Chris) of Ottawa. She leaves behind her brother Bernard Dempsey as well as her sisters Joan Sanborn, and Lois Rioux. She was predeceased by her husband Jerry Copp, and her brothers Lawrence, Robert, Patrick and Wilbur, and her sisters Marguerite, Bernadette, Sarah, Roberta and Irma.
A Funeral Mass for Lourdes will be held at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 11 a.m., followed by interment with her late husband in the National Military Cemetery, located at Beechwood Cemetery. The family are planning a Celebration of Life, this coming summer in Lourdes' hometown of Jacquet River, NB. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
Digital Guestbook
Steven Hilton
Anne Purcell
My sympathies to Catherine, Robert and Cameron. Your mother was a kind, gentle part of my teenage years. I hope that your memories of her bring you joy.
Connie Robillard
May your warmest memories shared together carry your family gently through this difficult time. I have fond memories of Lourdes serving Roberta and I tea and sandwiches on our school lunch break. My sincerest condolences.
Heather DeRome
They say that if a child has one person who believes in them and treats them kindly, then that child will be OK. Lourdes was that person for me. Within minutes of meeting her, she handed me a still-warm piece of fresh made bread, eventually trying to teach me to make it also. But hers was the best I have ever had. From the time I was a teen, I was welcomed into her family and lived with them for close to a year. After that, Lourdes helped me get my first apartment just down the street from her and, after I left the area, I was always welcomed back to her home and family, even though I usually simple arrived unannounced on their doorstep.
And I was not the only one. For her whole working life, Lourdes worked with various children with various needs, always accepting them just as they were, and showing the simple kindnesses that came so naturally to her.
I remember driving across Canada with Lourdes and Jerry, towing a trailer over switchbacks in the BC mountains, the car over-heating and Lourdes knowing that Jerry knew how to manage it. We’d stop at the side of the road, waiting for it to cool down, having a snack, and our conversations ranged from the serious and profound to just off-the-wall silly.
I will always be grateful to Lourdes, and to Catherine who is like a sister to me now and to her brothers as well, for letting me be one of the gang.
Rest in peace Lourdes, you deserve it.
Marie Plunkett
So sorry to hear of Lourdes passing, she was a very nice compassionate person, devote Catholic, and I enjoyed the time I spent with her at a holy Rosary. She was involved with our Adoration Ministry at Holy Rosary, a few years back, and I guess you could say I learned from the best. . My deepest sympathy to her family, and to Lourdes may your soul RIP , and may God hold you in the palm of his hand on your journey home. I will miss you. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Donna Dempsey Kerrigan
I remember Aunt Lourdes as the glamorous aunt who spoke with a soft voice. My mom was married to her brother, Patrick Dempsey, and loved hearing from Lourdes about her family and their adventures.
What a beautiful name! Our Lady will speed her through the
pearly gates. May the angels take her to paradise.
Joel Hickey
Both Lourdes and Jerry went from being close aunt and uncle to being great friends through the years. both will be missed physically but always with us and not forgotten. I look forward to seeing my close cousins this summer to celebrate Lourdes and Jerry's lives.
Sarah Chamberlain Beaulieu
I have fond memories of Summer visits in OOB ME with Lourdes and Jerry and the family. They had the joy that all Dempseys do. On behalf of Betty and Bob Chamberlains Family, I send our heartfelt sympathies.
Edward Hayes
Robert, Cameron, Catherine and family, my sympathies.
Monique Hess
I will miss Lourdes immensely!
She welcomed me at QMHR Parish when I 1st moved to Ottawa in 1998. Lourdes was an amazing Light of Christ that shone brightly. I was a moth. She took me under her wing and introduced me to Eucharistic Adoration; invited me to be a greeter, taught me how to be of service to our Church, to people, to God. I will not forget her beautiful kind heart. ❤️ 🙏 😇
Lourdes was always so nice to me. We became close at her sister, Sarah's funeral , and we wrote to each other during my time at Funeral Service School in the 80's. RIP my great Aunt.
Our deepest condolences to you Catherine and your immediate family.
Steven and Debra