Elizabeth Haddad Dempster

Elizabeth Haddad Dempster, 100, formerly of Williamstown, WV, died Saturday, March 16, 2019, at her home in Clinton, MS, after a brief illness.

She was born February 22, 1919, in Marietta, OH, a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Gandour Haddad. She was baptized as an infant at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (now Cathedral) in Charleston, WV, but was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Marietta. She graduated from Marietta High School in 1937.

She worked at the family business, The Ohio Valley Grocery Company, Inc., throughout her life until its sale in July 2002. During most of that period, she served as its vice president.

On September 25, 1948, she married William Dempster at St. Luke’s while he was an undergraduate student at Marietta College. They subsequently had two children and remained married for fifty-eight years until her husband’s death in 2006.

Elizabeth loved to entertain and was a fantastic cook. She enjoyed music, friends, and gardening, but most of all, she loved and cherished her family. Her generosity and hospitality endeared her to all who knew her.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Leo, Andrew, and Zeke Haddad; and her sisters, Katherine Connors and Mary Louise Shamoun.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lee (Charles) Runyan of Clinton, MS; her son, Brian Craig Dempster of Williamstown, WV; her grandchildren, Charles Alexander Runyan and Sarah Elizabeth Runyan; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass with Holy Eucharist was held on March 24 at the Episcopal Church of the Creator in Clinton, MS, with the Rev. Robert M. Blanton officiating. A funeral service was held on March 27 at Sebrell Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS, with Fr. Paul Yerger of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Clinton, MS, officiating. Burial was on May 14 at Arlington National Cemetery, thus uniting her with her husband, William, who was previously interred there.

Donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 320 Second Street, Marietta, OH 45750.