Joanne Dempsey

Garnet “Joanne” Dempsey (née Asbury) passed away on September 30, 2026, after a full life shaped by family, faith, music, hard work, compassion, and an unmistakable determination that left its mark on those who knew and loved her.

Joanne was born on October 30, 1943, in Yakima, Washington, where she spent a large part of her life. She grew up there with her family and later built a life and raised a family with Chuck Madden, the father of her four children, who preceded her in death.

Joanne shared a particularly close bond with her brother, Glendin Asbury, and his wife, Carol Asbury. Through all the years and the many changes that life brought, Joanne and Glendin remained close until his recent passing. Their relationship was one that Joanne treasured throughout her life. She also thought the world of Glendin's children, her nephew, Aaron Asbury, and her nieces, Alethia Asbury and Tara Asbury, held a very special place in her heart.

Joanne was the mother of four children: Tim Madden, Geri Madden, Jim Madden, and Jayann Madden. She was a proud grandmother to Jessica, Alyssa, and Brenna, and a loving great-grandmother to Emma, Lucas, Willow, Sterling and Maddie. One of her greatest blessings later in life was knowing that she had been given the opportunity to meet and know each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joanne began her adult life as a homemaker, dedicating herself to raising her children and caring for her family. As her children grew, she entered the workforce, working within the school system before eventually spending much of her professional life with Olympic Mental Health in Everett Washington.

Her work there was especially meaningful. She gave her time, patience, and compassion to children who needed someone to care for them and help them feel safe.

She was an incredibly hard worker, and through her example she taught her children the value of determination, independence, perseverance, and the belief that hard work could open doors.

Faith was an important part of Joanne's life throughout her adulthood. She was a spiritual woman and enjoyed being involved in her church in many different capacities. One of the greatest gifts she shared through the church was her love of music.

Joanne was a talented pianist who played for the church and also conducted the choir. Music brought her tremendous joy throughout her life. Whether she was sitting at a piano, directing voices in song, or simply hearing a song that made her want to get up and dance, music was part of who she was.

Later in life, Joanne found another meaningful way to live out her faith through her work with the church food pantry in Cornelius. She loved helping there and found a true sense of purpose and fulfillment in being able to serve others. For Joanne, lending a hand to someone who needed it was more than something to do—it was part of who she was. The food pantry gave her the opportunity to continue giving her time, energy, and compassion to her community, something she valued deeply.

She also loved arts and crafts and had an especially soft heart for animals.

Joanne was generous with her time and cared deeply for others. She was strong, independent, determined, and resilient. She understood that life could be difficult, but she also demonstrated through the way she lived that difficult circumstances did not have to determine where a person ultimately went in life.

Her life was made up not only of the big things, but of countless smaller moments that her family and friends will continue to remember and share, the music, the laughter, the hard work, her faith, her generosity, her love for animals, and the many stories that could only belong to Joanne.

She leaves behind her four children, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Carol, her beloved nephew and nieces, and family and friends who will continue to carry her stories and her memory with them.

Joanne's family will gather for a Celebration of Life on October 30, 2026 at 3:00pm—the day that would have been her 83rd birthday.

Family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by Joanne are warmly invited to join us as we celebrate her life and the many memories she leaves behind.

The date was chosen with special meaning.

Joanne entered this world on October 30, 1943, and on October 30, 2026, her family and friends will gather not simply to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life, her faith, and what her family believes is her passage into Heaven.

It is a fitting full circle for a woman whose faith remained an important part of her life.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and carried forward through the generations of the family she leaves behind.

October 30 will forever be the day we celebrate Joanne—her birth, her life, and now, her journey home.