Obituary of Lois Pauline DEMPSEY

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Lois Pauline Dempsey (Natoyisumyaki), on Friday, January 5, 2018, at the age of 54 years.

She was a member of the Blood tribe, received her Blackfoot name from Jim Low Horn, and with the aid of Wilton Good Striker she danced with the Horns. Educated at SAIT, she became a cook and worked at various places, including Toronto, Calgary, Taber, Cardston, Lethbridge, and Waterton. She suffered a kidney failure at the age of five and had three unsuccessful transplants before getting one that served her for the rest of her life.  Lois was a giving person whose home was always open to those who needed a place to stay.

Lois is survived by her three children Sharon, Shane and Jack; their father Randy Penner; and her parents Pauline and Hugh Dempsey; brothers James Dempsey (Betty Karpinski) and John (Ronna) Dempsey; sister Louise Dempsey (Joe Bouchard); twin sister Leah Suzette (Shane) Koski; aunt Doreen Garvey (John) in Sonoma, California; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives on the Blood Reserve.

She was predeceased by grandparents Otto and Lily Dempsey of Edmonton; and Senator James and Janie Gladstone, of the Blood Reserve.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Holy Cross Anglican Church, 2828 – 19th Street N.W.  on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 2:00p.m.,the Rev. Kyle Norman presiding.  A light lunch to follow at the church hall.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5; telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca.

The family wishes to thank the medical staff at the Foothills Medical Centre, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.