Louise Marie (Tiny Grandma) Dempsey, 83, of White Bird died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Louise was born July 26, 1920, at Yerington, Nev., a daughter of Adolpho and Ruby Dunn Pellegrini.
Louise and Ivan (Skip) Francis were married in June 1936. They were later divorced and remained friends. Skip passed away in the 1980s.
She spent most of her life in Nevada and loved the desert and the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. She worked as a cook and waitress from the age of 14 until her health wouldn't permit it later in life. Working with the public and bantering with friends and customers was the thing she loved and missed to her last days. She visited and spent much time through the years with her family in White Bird.
Louise had a quick wit and enjoyed a good story and laugh. She loved country music and dancing, but cooking was her forte. She loved cooking for family and friends and still did until she entered the care center.
Tiny Grandma was one-of-a-kind and will be missed by many.
She is survived by her son, Gary Francis, and wife Marilyn of Sequim, Wash.; and her daughter and son-in-law, Ona and Gerald Lindsey of White Bird. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. They are Loraine and Jerry Robinett, Alana and Russ Atchison, Shannon and Kimberly Lindsey, Marianne and Ray Holes, Ren Lindsey, Andrea Francis Willett and Janel Francis Dougherty. She is also survived by one brother, A. Eddie Pellegrini and wife Margie of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, John and Bill Pellegrini of Yerington; and a sister, Esther Sasstedt of Klamath Falls, Ore.
The memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Condolences may be sent to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.