Esther M. Tompkinson

esther tompkinson

May 22, 1929 ~ December 28, 2023

Born in: West Hartford, CT
Resided in: Cheshire, CT

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.

Services

Memorial Service: January 13, 2024 1:00 pm

Nelson Hall at Elim Park
150 Cook Hill Road
Cheshire, CT 06410


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  1. Esther and Rene were my clients at HR Block for nearly 18 years. I absolutely enjoyed working with them. After Rene left us, I made a point to go to Esther and still continue to provide the services she needed. I loved having dinner with her and listening to her amazing stories.
    Rest in peace Esther I will truly miss you.

  2. very sorry to read of Esther’s passing. She and Rene were a great couple. When you walked into the TimeShop you weren’t just a customer, you became a friend.
    My condolences to her family.

  3. My husband, Bruce, and I first met Esther and Rene on February 6, 2013, the day we moved into Elim Park, the same building and floor where they lived. They were one of the first to greet us. They were such a special couple and looked after all of the residents helping each of us batteries for our watches. Esther taught us how to paint many of our first pictures on canvas. We will miss her wonderful talent and friendly smile.

  4. We met Esther and Rene when we bought a cabin across the cove from them in NH in 2001. We were sad when they decided to sell in 2004 and though they were far away physically we thought of them often and still do. They were so both full of life. I’m so sorry for her family’s loss.


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