PHYLLIS LORRAINE TOMPKINS

Phyllis Lorraine Tompkins, age 64, died peacefully on September 19, 2016 at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House after an almost nine year battle with sarcoma cancer.           

Phyllis was born on September 15, 1952 to Alva and Violet (Justus) Youngs in Kennewick, Washington.  She was one of six children and was preceded in death by her parents and brothers; Dallas, Stan, Ralph and Cecil and by her animal friends; Sasha, Meow, Jellicle and Mr. Mistofoleze.           

She graduated from Kennewick High School in 1970 and worked at the Mid-Columbia Library.  She married Robert J. McDonald in 1971 and had two children Timothy Ross and LeeAnn Marie.           

In 1999 she married Paul Tompkins until her passing.  In 2004, Phyllis graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences.          

She was employed at Energy Northwest for 30 years retiring as a Telecom Analyst in 2011.        

Phyllis enjoyed traveling to many countries including Europe, the Baltic nations, Africa, the Fiji Islands, Mexico and Russia, she attended several years of night classes in the Russian language. In her last year she went to the Big Island of Hawaii and took a cruise ship to Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and in July a cruise ship around the British Isles.         

She enjoyed scuba diving, downhill skiing, gardening, reading books, snowshoeing, hiking and backpacking.  With her husband Paul, she backpacked 135 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington State.  She also enjoyed playing card games and “words with friends.”           

Phyllis volunteered as a reading tutor, at Kennewick Community Education and as a dog walker at Tri-City Animal Shelter.  She played violin at Pasco First Lutheran church and was also part of the knitting circle.         

She was a member of several local wineries and a local gym where she continued to exercise despite her illness.

Phyllis was a caring, giving, gracious and thoughtful lady.  She was strong, courageous and adventurous.   Her advice to others was encouraging, insightful, creative and concise.         

She is survived by her husband (Paul Tompkins), her daughter (LeeAnn McDonald) her son (Tim McDonald), her sister (Laree Jennings) and numerous nieces and nephews.          

Memorial services will be held at Pasco First Lutheran Church, 530 W. Bonneville Street on Saturday, October 22^nd at 11 am. 

Donations in her memory can be made to Tri-City Animal Shelter, 1312 S.  18^th Ave. Pasco, WA 99301 or to Sarcoma Alliance at sarcomaalliance.org