Loved to watch the birds in her gardens and vacation in Maine
NORTH READING — Dorothy A. “Dot” (Jones) Tompkins, 86, of North Reading, passed away at her home on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas H. Tompkins.
Born in Wakefield on May 19, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Elmer R. and Janet G. (Spear) Jones. She was a lifelong resident of North Reading. She attended North Reading schools and was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School, Class of 1955.
Dot was a homemaker and Retail Clerk at Marshalls. Dot never complained and she never wanted to be a burden; she always wanted to help. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed assuming the role of hostess in gatherings, always ready to assist in any way she could.
In her early years she was known for making her own grape jelly, maple syrup from trees in her yard and canning anything from her garden that the family couldn’t finish in season. Dot was fond of refinishing old furniture which extended to sanding, refinishing and polishing the 100-year old wide pine floors in her first house. Dot loved to watch the birds in her gardens, vacationing in Maine, coloring, playing solitaire, attending her granddaughter’s dance recitals and going to the North Reading Memorial Day parade with her grandchildren.
Family members include her loving sons, Jeffrey and Andrew Tompkins and daughters, Leanne McTague and Beth Lucas; her brother, Elmer Jones and his late wife Virginia, late brothers, Kenneth Jones and his late wife Natalie and the late Melvin Jones and his wife Janice Jones; late sisters, Muriel Titus and Janet Roberts and her late husband Walter; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
