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Jean Flower Tompkins, born February 1, 1925, peacefully passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Jean was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, loving wife, mother, grandmother (“Mere”), great-grandmother, artist, cartoonist, family hostess, and creator of great fun and much laughter.
After graduating from Sophie B. Wright High School, she attended Newcomb College of Tulane University. At Newcomb she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and was once voted the "Rose" of Tulane's Kappa Alpha fraternity. Jean married Christopher "Chris" Tompkins in 1944. For many years on Thursday nights, Jean and Chris could be spotted at local restaurants on their weekly "date night.” She and Chris were also well known for their carnival spirit. On Mardi Gras, Jean and Chris dressed up as "Maw De-Graw" and "Paw-Rade.” As they walked the uptown parade route, many revelers would ask to take a picture with them - a request they never refused. Jean was very active in the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO), where she was renowned for being the long-time cartoonist for the JLNO magazine, Lagniappe. She also created puppets and was the puppeteer for several JLNO shows. For her commitment to volunteerism, Jean was named JLNO's 1998 Sustainer of the Year. Jean was a former Board Member of Poydras Home and of the John J. Hainkel Home and Rehabilitation Center. She was also a member of The Children of Mary Sodality at The Academy of the Sacred Heart and a weekly Eucharistic Adorationist for many years.
Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 68 years, Christopher Tompkins, her parents, Clarence Cottman Flower and Mabel Cook Flower, brothers Charles Henry Flower and James Scott Flower and a great-granddaughter, Maria Tompkins. She is survived by her four sons: Christopher (Debbie) Tompkins of Norfolk, VA, James (Carol) Tompkins of Houston, TX, Robert (Janet) Tompkins of Alexandria, LA, and Peter (Jennifer) Tompkins of New Orleans, LA; her two daughters: Elizabeth "Betty" (Patrick) Hunley, of New Orleans, LA, and Ann (John) Schramm of Atlanta, GA; along with fifteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank her dedicated caregivers at Poydras Home as well as Ernestine Bacchus and Ava Noten. Friends are invited to attend the visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Poydras Home, 5354 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115; John J. Hainkel Home and Rehabilitation Center, 612 Henry Clay Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118, or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries.
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Oct
19
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124
Oct
19
11:00 a.m.
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124
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Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124
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