Hazel Dempsey (Phelps)

Hazel Lavina Dempsey, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022, at the age of 73. Born to Sherman and Helen Phelps, she was the middle of 8 children. As a child her favorite things to do included helping her dad work on cars and playing baseball with her siblings.

Hazel married her lifelong love, Steven Gene Dempsey on June 24,1967. Together they had 4 children and were only 9 days away from celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary!

She enjoyed all things crafty and was always a great success at every new adventure she took on. From sewing beautiful wedding gowns for friends and family to entire team uniforms for her granddaughter’s cheer teams, she put her whole heart into every single stitch.

Crocheting, pottery, painting, baking, sewing, chocolate pie, red roses and any Reba song are just a few of the things that will forever remind us of her.

More than anything she loved her “babies”. The 10 great grandchildren that always brought a smile to her face no matter how much pain she was in. If you ever had a conversation with her, you surely heard all about their latest activity and saw all the photos in her “Nana’s Photo Album” she carried with her everywhere.

Hazel was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many

Her Smile

Though her smile is gone forever
And her hand I cannot touch
I have so many memories
Of the one I love so much
Her memory is my keepsake
With which I’ll never part
God has her in his keeping
I have her in my heart


Please join us to celebrate her life on Saturday, June 25th at 10:00 a.m., at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055. Hazel will be laid to rest at Floral Hills East Memorial Gardens in Lee’s Summit, MO. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)