Eleanor Rita Dempsey

Dempsey, Eleanor “Ellie” Rita, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her entire family on September 14, 2017 in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Ellie is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Thomas L. “Tom” Dempsey; sister, Marie Marsh: daughters, Maureen Dempsey and Diane (Gregory) Riehle; grandchildren Thomas, Robert, Alexis, Masterson, and Lauren; and extended family, plus a multitude of dear friends. Ellie took great pride in her retail and modeling career prior to a beautiful marriage and accomplishments with her soul mate, Tom. She was instrumental in the many successes she and Tom shared beginning with the publishing business and leading to his time as Chief Executive Officer of Penton Publishing in Cleveland, Ohio. Ellie was an integral partner in the founding and development of Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Ellie’s greatest joy was spending time with her cherished family and friends. Ellie’s many interests included tennis, golf, football, dancing, swimming, reading, sewing, decorating, theater and the arts, volunteering, and fundraising for charities. She had a deep and abiding faith in God and was a parishioner at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Ellie will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious humor, incredible beauty, charisma, and class. To know her is to love her; for those who knew Ellie, her smiling Irish eyes and pure heart of gold will always be remembered. Ellie was a devoted wife to her adoring husband, Tom, and a dedicated, loving mother and grandmother. She will be deeply missed and honored forever in the hearts of those who loved her. The Dempsey family wishes to extend our sincere thank you to Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care and Home Instead Senior Care for taking such excellent care of Ellie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made here www.ghppc.org or www.homeinstead.com in her honor. Visitation will be held at Blount & Curry, Carrollwood on Bearss Ave from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2017. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Saint Leo Abbey, 33701 FL-52, St Leo, FL 33574 on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception and celebration of life at Saddlebrook Resort, Royal Palm Ballroom, 5700 Saddlebrook Way Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.