Our father's burial

It is with a heavy heart that we are setting up this GoFund me. On December 8, 2021, Jim Dempsey, dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack at Bay Park Hospital. If you had the pleasure of truly knowing him, you would know that he was one of the most compassionate, caring, and loving people you could ever meet. On top of being a dodding father and grandfather, he had an affinity for telling detailed stories from years ago as if they just happened yesterday. His memory and historical knowledge was an amazing talent that he will be remembered for. Unfortunately, weeks before his passing, tragedy struck his household. He found himself fighting each day to get well enough to see his beloved wife make it home from the hospital after a severe bout of Covid pneumonia. However, he passed away before getting a chance to see her face to face again after weeks of being apart.

Three weeks prior to his passing, his wife, Ufamia “Fammy” Dempsey received a deadly diagnosis of Covid pneumonia. At this time Jim also had Covid and was quarantine at home while his wife “Fammy” was admitted to the hospital. After a week of being in the critical care unit, Fammy took a turn for the worst and was admitted into the ICU for critically low oxygen levels. Within days she was ventilated and only given a 10% chance of survival. Jim was in dire shape himself and could not be with Fammy has she was suffering from this devastating illness. The doctors gave a grim prognosis for Fammy’s survival. Jim was extremely ill himself and distraught at the thought of his wife being alone and quarantined from her entire family in this crucial situation.

Despite what the doctors told him he prayed daily for her healing, claiming a miracle and standing on GOD’S words. He never gave up hope and each day his faith grew stronger. Miraculously and by the grace of GOD, GOD answered Jim’s prayers. Fammy survived almost 14 days on a ventilator and was finally taken off on _________. The very first person her nurse called was her husband Jim. Fammy simply utter a soft faint “hi” to him. He explained that his heart melted and he never cried such heavy tears of joy from deep within his soul. Jim gave all the glory and his thanks to GOD and claimed that he witnessed a miracle. That day he was a new person inside and out and wanted to be by his wife’s side.

Jim desperately wanted to see his wife, but was still extremely fatigued to the point of not being able to walk up and down the stairs at his home. For weeks his children, family, and wife’s nurses begged Jim to go to the hospital to be treated. Each time he refused, because he was afraid of being admitted and not being able to see his wife again in the coming days.

On Monday, Decemeber 5, 2021___, just days after his wife Fammy was taken off the vent, Jim’s son rushed him to the ER and found that he had water around his lungs and was in critical need of oxygen. As he healed the next few days the doctor’s cleared Jim to leave stating he was in good health. Sadly on December 8, Jim’s health rapidly deteriorated for no apparent reason. He was placed in ICU and just hours later he passed away from a heart attack. Jim was surrounded by his children and loved ones. His entire family is in shock and disbelief. His immediate family believe it may be possible negligence on the hospital’s part, but cannot afford a private autopsy to investigate the matter to the fullest extent. They were denied an autopsy from the county coroner.

His wife Fammy remains at Toledo Hospital confined to her bed as she has not fully recovered. Since learning of her husband’s death, she has had some setbacks in her healing process. It is very difficult for Fammy to speak, eat, sleep, and even lift her head. She continues to need 24 hour physical care. She is also suffering mentally and emotionally after her near death experience and sudden loss of her wonderful husband. Needless to say, she has an extensive recovery ahead of her. No one deserves the hand of cards that she has been dealt. Fammy cannot physically bear the burden of her illness let alone bear the burden of planning a funeral for her beloved husband of _____45_ years. She is distraught and overwhelmed each day. She remains surrounded by her loving family and friends, but continues to stress over how to pay for a funeral in the state she is in.

Funds collected with this campaign will go towards Jim’s funeral arrangements. Fammy’s rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy to get back to everyday activities and independence. They will also assist with her extensive treatment and medication needs. Handicapped accessibility changes may need to be made, along with modified home care equipment.

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Alysia Velez-Austin

Intervention Specialist

Hiawatha Elementary

Washington Local School District

“A child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” ~ Pablo Casals