Deirdre Demko

Deirdre Moira (Bittles) Demko, of Gallatin, Tennessee, left this earth on May 1, 2025, after a short battle with glioblastoma. Deirdre, or “Dee,” as she was known to those close to her, was born on September 3, 1941 in County Down, Belfast, Ireland.

Deirdre is survived by her daughters, Alicia (Will) and Elizabeth (Craig), along with her four grandchildren, Alexandra, Grant, George and Blair, her brother Sean, sister Sheenagh, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, Sean and Elizabeth Bittles. Deirdre was fortunate to live in three continents during her childhood and teenage years as her father served in WWII. She most fondly remembered her time in Ireland and Singapore and enjoyed sharing her memories with her family.

Deirdre adored the English language and literature of all genres (particularly Shakespeare), having achieved her master’s at Butler University and completed all coursework going towards her doctorate at Purdue University, both in English. She demanded excellent grammar of her children and required book reports each summer of their childhood. Even while her cancer stole her mind and much of her expressive language, she was still able to recall complicated words from the English language which she uttered to her girls sporadically while they cared for her, much to their surprise.

Spending time with her family was Deirdre’s greatest joy, as she helped care for her grandchildren in their early years and attended their football and softball games, swim meets, dance competitions and other activities as they grew older. She treasured spending time with her sister, brother and other family members in California, especially any afternoon sipping Chardonnay by the ocean.

Deirdre loved being out in nature and all of God’s creatures, and she had recently started taking care of a few felines abandoned in her neighborhood. She excelled in the garden and every summer she helped her daughters with their annual plantings. In fact, upon returning to Indiana in these final months of her life, Deirdre planted flowers for her daughter while sitting peacefully on the front porch. Her “green thumb” guidance will be missed this year and for years to come.

Deirdre was taken from us too soon and too quickly, but we draw comfort in the knowledge that she is with her parents doing an Irish gig and singing “Danny Boy.” The family will hold a private service in Indianapolis, with a Celebration of Life in California in June. In lieu of flowers, and if you are so inclined, the family would request memorial donations to the Humane Society for Hamilton County, 10501 Hague Road, Fishers, IN 46038, www.hamiltonhumane.com or Glioblastoma Foundation, P.O.Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715, https://glasiobltomafoundation.org/

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