Feb 26, 2018

Joanne Casacchia Dempsey, 68, passed away Thursday, February 22, 2018, following a 10-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born in Washington, a daughter of Anthony and Virginia Casacchia. She resided in Washington until 2008, when she moved to Bradenton, Fla., to be near her daughter.

Mrs. Dempsey was a 1967 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School.

She worked for The Silver Mine for many years, until she went back to school for psychology, graduating from California University of Pennsylvania. Later, she was a social worker for Presbyterian SeniorCare.

Mrs. Dempsey enjoyed traveling with her three best friends, Judy Skerbetz, Pam Fisher and Donna Ogrodowski.

In 1971, she married Robert Dempsey, who passed away in 2012.

Surviving are her loving daughter, Traci (Edward) Volz of Bradenton, and three beautiful grandchildren, Jackson, 12, Brycen, 9, and Anastasia, 8. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Casacchia (Sandy) of Columbiana, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Katherine (DeForest) Rathbone of Leonardtown, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Dempsey will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A private burial will take place in Florida, and a celebration of her life is planned for this upcoming spring in Washington.

Memorial donations to Alzheimer’s research at www.alz.org would be appreciated.