Arlene A. Dempsey

It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Arlene A. Dempsey, on October 13th 2025, at the age of 79.

A devoted wife, loving mother, beloved grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many.

Arlene was born on December 27, 1945 to Florence and Edward Peregoy in Westbury NY.

After graduating high school she hoped to fulfill her dream to become a registered nurse, but was disqualified due to her scoliosis. In true Arlene fashion, she did the best she could with what she had and became a certified medical assistant.

While still living in Westbury with some of her “besties” Arlene met a handsome young police officer whose post happened to be near one of her best friends' parents cab company. It was there they began their relationship, and in August 1965, she married her beloved Bob. This past August, they joyfully celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Together they built a family and Arlene poured her love into creating a warm and welcoming home for their four children in East Setauket and later Baldwin NY.

Arlene’s passion for cooking and baking always filled their home with delicious aromas and her kitchen table was always the heart of the home for friends, family and neighbors throughout her lifetime.

She always loved a good “coffee klatsch” and enjoyed telling stories, which were usually quite humorous (even at her own expense)!

Creative by nature she had many talents. She loved to paint watercolors, sew, crochet, and “whip up” anything when given the challenge. She loved playing games, was quite competitive, and a bit of a card shark!

Her greatest joy was the love she unselfishly and whole heartedly gave to her family and friends. She was a true people pleaser and always put herself last.

Arlene was devoted, loyal, and unwaveringly supportive throughout Bob’s challenging career as an NCPD homicide detective, and in all of her children’s accomplishments (and even their failures) while always encouraging them and leading by example about how to persevere.

Even with the loss of her beloved son, Bobby Jr., she continued to show strength and make holidays and gatherings special - always keeping his memory present in our family.

She was fortunate to enjoy over 24 years of retirement with Bob in Woodloch Springs, PA, and Vero Beach, FL, where they built many treasured friendships that felt like family.Arlene truly loved life, never gave up, and always gave her ALL to ALL. We weren’t prepared to let her go. She will be forever loved, missed and remembered.

She is survived by her beloved husband Bob, children; Kathleen, & Neil Devlin, Colleen & Bill O’Brien, Maureen & Patrick Mackey, twelve grandchildren; Kaitlyn, Patrick, Timothy, Liam,Maeve, Malachy, Emmett, Meghan, Bobby, Jack, Molly, and PJ, great grandson Thomas, brother Robert,  niece; Suzanne, and nephew; Scott.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to “The Compassionate Friends” in her memory

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.