1934 – 2014

AUBURN — Amanda M. Dempsey, 79, formerly of Harpswell and Turner, passed away Monday afternoon, March 24, after a long journey with cancer at the Androscoggin Hospice House.

She was born in West Grove, Pa., on April 19, 1934.

She was the widow of William Dempsey, to whom she was married for 25 years. She married her current husband, Howard Lowell, in 1994.

Amanda was an avid gardener, quilter and hunter. What she loved most was renovating old houses and no project was too large or too daunting for her. She loved dogs and especially Scooter, Casey and Bly. Amanda was very proud of her children’s accomplishments; however, she never hesitated to tell Patrick to drive slower, Alicia to quit dyeing her hair and Mary to get a “pixie” cut. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren tracked dirt on Amanda’s wood floors, made tremendous amounts of noise and brought her some of her greatest joy.

With the diagnosis of cancer and the advent of the Dempsey Center, Amanda went from a private person to a more public one and in doing so, she offered gentle and kind support to others journeying with cancer. She could often be found at the Dempsey Center in Lewiston, bringing in quilts, sewing with her daughter, Mary, and talking to patients. Each year, she led the “Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk” at the Dempsey Challenge, and this past year, Amanda was able to cycle on her pink bike.

Amanda is survived by her husband, Howard Lowell, of Auburn; her three children, Mary Dempsey, Patrick Dempsey and his wife, Jillian, and Alicia and her husband, Doug Hatten; brother, Jim Casson and wife, Cecile; eight stepchildren, John Lowell and wife, Mary, James Lowell and wife, Tina, Ruth Lowell, D’Ann and husband, Philip Savage, Linda and husband, Gary Bartlett, Patricia and husband, Leo Deschenes, Jeanne and husband, Ron Carpentier, and Cathy and husband, Mark Schlich; also surviving are four grandchildren; one great-grandson; 13 stepgrandchildren; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

She was predeceased by her first husband, William; and two brothers, Wesley and Jack.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Central Maine Medical Center, which is part of the Central Maine Medical Family, as well as Massachusetts General Hospital, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice House, St. Dominic Academy and a special thank-you to all the “angels” who helped guide Amanda and her family through the journey.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.

Copy the Story Link