A Live Virtual Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - 3PM Sharp ("doors" open at 2:45PM)

CLICK HERE to access the link to the service.

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Josephine (Renzi) Dempsey, "Joie", passed away peacefully in Clifton on March 20, 2020. She had the good fortune to live a full life before succumbing to the effects of a stroke. She is survived by four of five children: Diane, Michele, Lauren, Stephen John Jr. & his wife Diana, plus her grandchildren Stephen John III & Katherine. She was pre-deceased by her devoted husband of 50 years - Stephen John Dempsey Sr., and her beloved son Gregory.

Josephine was born & raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn NY, a proud daughter of immigrant parents from Naples, Italy. She attended high school then worked at AT&T in Manhattan for several years. After starting her family she committed herself to her children, and in 1961 the family relocated to River Edge.

She returned to the workplace after a 20 year hiatus. She advanced from part-time office clerk to full-time Purchasing Manager at Bergen Pines Hospital, having success there for many years. She & Stephen Sr. happily relocated to Boca Raton, FL for 15 years, & she resumed her Purchasing career for the City of Pompano. She retired to Monroe, later to Clifton.

Josephine was dedicated to her family which led her to numerous community & church activities. She loved baseball/softball, even managed her girls' teams, and she could score a game! She participated in religious, educational & social programs at St. Peter the Apostle in River Edge & the Newark Archdiocese Family Life Bureau. In retirement she regularly attended Mass & Events at St. Philip the Apostle in Clifton.

Her social & Civil Rights activism included renovation projects in Harlem & continuous involvement in politics. She served as Democratic committeewoman & worked on many Democratic campaigns & causes in River Edge, Bergen County & NJ state.

Josephine was smart, an excellent cook, a fashionista, loved music & loved to dance ("Lady is a Tramp"). Her Reason for Being was to pass on Life Lessons & Zest for Life to her children & grandchildren. Her most cherished role among the many she took on was as Mother/ Grandmother…A true Madonna.

Virtual Funeral Mass will be scheduled soon at St. Philip the Apostle Church, Clifton. Please contact Shook Funeral Home in Clifton for details: ShookFH.com , (973) 471-9620.  You may also check with the parish: StPhilip.org , phone (973) 779-6200.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, stjude.org , would be greatly appreciated.

RIP Jo D.