Obituary for Mary Alice (Niklich) Tompkins

Mary Alice (Niklich) Tompkins, 89, passed away at 12:20 p.m. February 26, 2015 at The Pines in Bristol, Connecticut. Her husband Tom, passed away 8 days earlier February 18, 2015.

Mary was born in Belleville, IL on November 18, 1925 to Robert Niklich and Rose (Luesse) Niklich.

Mary attended grade school in Shiloh Hill, IL and then went to Campbell Hill High School. She then attended Harris Stowe Teachers College in St. Louis, MO where she met the love of her life Tom. Mary went to Wine Hill, IL and taught at the one room school house (grades 1-8) from 1944 to 1946.

She married Brayton "Tom" Tompkins March 29, 1946 at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Wine Hill, IL. Shortly thereafter she moved to Tom's home town of Plainville, CT where she raised her family.

She graduated from Central Connecticut State College and for many years was an elementary school teacher at Trask School in Plainville, CT.

She is survived by three sons, Robert (Peg) of Rotonda, West, FL., Dr. Vernon and (Mary Ann) of Southington, CT. and Stephen and his friend Carol of Voorheesville, NY; eight grandchildren Jeffery Tompkins, Jason (Robyn) Tompkins, David (Anna) Tompkins, Laura (Peter) Montana, Daniel (Rhyan) Tompkins and nine great-grandchildren, her brother George Niklich of Belleville, IL and sister Dolores Waltemate of Chester, IL., many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, parents, sister-in-law Ethel Kipp and brother-in-law Rudy Waltemate.

Memorials can be made to the Plainville Methodist Church, 56 Red Stone Hill, Plainsville, CT 06062.