Esther Marie Tompkinson, 94, of Cheshire, CT (formerly of Meriden, CT and Stoddard, NH), peacefully passed away on December 28, 2023, at Elim Park Place in Cheshire. She was the beloved wife of the late Rene H. Tompkinson, to whom she had been married for 68 years.
She was born in West Hartford, CT, the daughter of Edwin Benson and Amanda Persson Benson. She attended West Hartford schools, graduating from William H. Hall High School, class of 1947. Upon graduation, she was employed as a Court Stenographer at the Probate Court in Hartford; and then for over 50 years, she worked alongside her husband at their business, The Time Shop in Meriden. Since 1950, she was a resident of Meriden until moving to Elim Park in 2004. Esther was an active member, Sunday School teacher, and officer of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Meriden.
Painting in watercolor, oils, pastels, and ink were her spare time passions. She had been a long-time member, officer, and volunteer in the Meriden Arts and Craft Association and a member of and exhibitor at other art associations in CT, NH, and FL. She is a graduate of North Lights Art School, Cincinnati, OH. Her paintings are in private and corporate collections throughout the US.
She enjoyed swimming, boating, and snowmobiling with her family at their second home on Highland Lake in Stoddard, NH. Esther and Rene travelled extensively in the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, Panama, and Taiwan. Upon moving to Elim Park, she enjoyed being a volunteer on many committees and teaching an ongoing art class for other residents. Her other hobbies included quilting, knitting, and gardening.
Esther is survived by her two children and their spouses, Sandra and Marshall Dennis of Ashburnham, MA, and Mark and Cheryl Tompkinson of Ephrata, PA; her grandchildren, Joshua (Katherine) Dennis, Ian (Rosa) Dennis, Amanda Tompkinson, Brian (Tiffany) Tompkinson, and Alicia (Eric) Steinhauer; and her four great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives are invited to a Memorial Service for Esther at Nelson Hall in Elim Park Place, 150 Cook Hill Rd., Cheshire on Saturday, January 13th at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be private. Arrangements in care of BEECHER & BENNETT-FLATOW FUNERAL HOME, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden, CT. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Esther's name to the Meriden Arts and Crafts Association, 53 Colony St., Meriden, CT 06450 or to Elim Park Benevolent Fund, 150 Cook Hill Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410.