Keohane Funeral Home

Dempsey, Jean M. (Holstead) of Hingham, previously of Quincy, passed away after a very brief illness on November 27, 2017.  Jean was born and raised in Quincy.  In her early career, she was a medical secretary at the Deaconess Hospital in Boston.  Married in 1955 to her husband Dick, she took on her most passionate and important role as homemaker and caregiver for her family in Hingham. Jean will be remembered for being a loving and kind woman, incredibly welcoming to all of her children’s friends. She got tremendous joy out of having visitors to her home, always curious about what was happening in their lives. Friends remember her laughing in her kitchen and making everyone feel as if they were part of the family.  Like many Hingham moms, Jean spent hours at the rink, enjoying her children’s hockey games and skating competitions (and the countless hours of cold practices that entailed).  Her daughter Sue found this quote in her mom’s desk drawer the day after her death: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.  Let me not defer or neglect it.”  Never has a person so lived up to that inspirational spirit than Jean.  She had a friendly, genuine smile for everyone she met and even in the face of challenges, she had a positive, optimistic outlook on life. She enjoyed being outdoors, taking long walks in her neighborhood and spending countless hours in her beautiful garden. Jean was devoted to her grandchildren, and loved long phone conversations with and visits from them, hearing all about their adventures and accomplishments.  She also got such pleasure spending hours seeking out the most perfect, thoughtful gifts for her loved ones. Her love for family extended all the way down to her children’s furry pets, whom she adored. Her family was the cornerstone of her life and she cherished her relationships with them.  She will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Loving wife for 62 years to Richard J. Dempsey of Hingham. Dear mother to Stephen M. Dempsey and his wife Jennifer of Mansfield, Kathleen Dempsey of Hingham and Susan E. Dempsey of Holbrook. Beloved grandmother to Kevin Dempsey of Nashville, TN and Katie Dempsey of Cambridge. Sister to the late Aileen Reilly.   Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jean may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.