Ruth Anne (Doyle) Tompkins, 87, formerly of East Longmeadow, passed away peacefully, on November 16, 2022. Born & raised in Northampton, she was the daughter of the late Daniel & Ruth (Fleming) Doyle.
Education was very important in Ruth's life. She was the valedictorian of Northampton High School’s class of 1952; then graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Child Study, from Smith College in 1956.
That same year, she married the love of her life, Earle A. Tompkins, Jr., and moved to Baltimore, MD where Ruth taught elementary school while Earle attended dental school.
Ruth taught most of her life at elementary schools including Maple Shade, East Longmeadow, and Heritage Academy, Longmeadow. She then went on to earn a Master’s in Special Education from American International College. She put that to good use at Williams Middle School in Longmeadow, from where she retired at 65 years of age.
She was a lifelong tennis player, enjoying tournaments at the Field Club in Longmeadow, an avid Bridge player, and a loving wife to Earle. Together they enjoyed beautiful vacations and were devoted parents to their two adoring daughters.
Ruth was predeceased by Earle, after 59 years of marriage.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Melissa Tompkins & husband Jeffrey Lee, and Melanie Tompkins, sister, Kathleen “Eenie” Hughes, brother-in-law, Thomas Tompkins, and several beloved nieces & nephews.
Family and friends are invited to Ruth’s 10 a.m. Liturgy Mass, Saturday, November 19 at St. Michael’s Parish in East Longmeadow. Her burial will be private at the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.
Being a church service, in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to www.StJude.org.
Please visit www.TazziniFuneralHome.com for condolences.
Condolences to you, Melanie, and your family on the passing of your mother. May she rest in peace
Darren & Marian