Sandra T. (Bertoli) Dempsey

Sandra T. (Bertoli) Dempsey of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Reading, MA, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 9, 2026, with her family by her side. She was 82 years of age.

Sandra dedicated her life first and foremost to her family, raising her two daughters with boundless love, creativity, and steady guidance. During their childhood, she lovingly made their clothes by hand, volunteered at their school, and served as a CCD teacher. Her faith was central to her life, and she was actively involved in her church community for many years.

She had a special gift for making life joyful and memorable. Halloween was one of her favorite holidays, and she delighted in creating imaginative costumes that brought smiles to family and friends. She enjoyed bowling, playing bingo, and gathering around the table for cards and board games with family — especially spirited rounds of Trivial Pursuit. She loved to read, a lifelong habit she proudly passed along to her daughter, creating a shared love of books that became part of her legacy.

She cherished her friends and neighbors, sharing laughter and companionship through the years. Together they made treasured memories on trips to the beaches of the North Shore, Maine, and Cape Cod, as well as on day trips exploring local historic sites.

Her professional life reflected her strong work ethic and dedication. She began her career as a secretary at Prudential Insurance. After raising her children, she returned to the workforce, serving at St. Agnes Parish and Printed Circuit Corporation before retiring from Modern Continental. She took pride in her work and the relationships she built along the way.

She expressed her love through cooking and baking, especially during the holidays, when her kitchen became the heart of celebration and tradition. In retirement, she embraced a new chapter of life in The Villages, Florida. There she enjoyed playing golf, dancing in the town square, making new friends, and happily leaving snow shovels behind.

She also loved to travel and explore the world. Among her many adventures were cherished trips to Italy, Ireland, and California, each journey reflecting her curiosity and appreciation for new experiences.

Above all, she will be remembered for her warmth, her creativity, her faith, her sense of fun and sass, and her unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the traditions she created, and the many joyful memories she leaves behind.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Sandra was the wife of the late Joseph S. Dempsey. She is the loving mother of Jennifer (Dempsey) McMeniman and her husband Scott, and Kate Dempsey. Cherished grandmother of Hayley McMeniman. Dear sister of Linda Hamel and her husband, James and Charles Bertoli and his wife, Christine. Longtime companion of Glenn Bartle.

Funeral from the Doherty Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden Street, READING on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 10am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Sandra’s Eternal Life in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street, Reading at 11am. Interment Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 4pm to 7pm in the funeral home. Parking attendants and elevator available.