Annie Dempsey, wife of the late Charles J. Dempsey, passed away peacefully at her home in Auckland on Saturday 22 November 2008 after a long illness.
Annie Dempsey enjoyed 67 years of marriage with Charles. J. Dempsey, the man who played a key role in the establishment of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).
Reynald Temarii, the President of the Oceania Football Confederation and a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, conveyed his condolences to the Dempsey family, saying, "This is a very sad day for everyone connected with football in Oceania. Annie was the strength behind Charlie Dempsey and her vibrant personality and smile will be sorely missed by all. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Dempsey family.”
Annie and Charles J. Dempsey’s daughter Josephine King said:
“Annie was a great mother and we shall miss her. But she is with Charlie now which is where she wanted to be after 67 years of a wonderful marriage. OFC has been good to both Annie and Charlie, our family and their memory.”
OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas expressed his sadness to the Dempsey family.
“Annie touched a lot of lives in Oceania. Although she will be sorely missed, she will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone fortunate enough to have met her,” Nicholas said.
The funeral is to be at the Chapel at the Mangere cemetery at 1.00 on Wednesday 26 November 2008 where she will be buried in the same plot as her late husband.