Barbara Tompkins

Barbara Jean (Hamrick) Tompkins passed peacefully on November 4, 2026 at Medilodge in Traverse City with her daughter at her side. She led a life of caring and love for others, opening her home to foster children, unwed mothers, friends of her kids and anyone who needed it.

Barb was born on November 15, 1944 and was raised in Springfield, Illinois and on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. She always spoke fondly of riding her horse through the orchards with her friends.

Barb is survived by her daughter, Anne (Darin Updike) Cole of Traverse City; her brother, Kenneth Hamrick of Anchorage, Alaska; her stepchildren, Mark (Marsha) Tompkins, Scott (Patrice) Tompkins, Carol (Ed) Parker-Tompkins, as well as many nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. She never thought of her “step” relatives as anything but her own, and when she married Richard, she and her daughter gained a huge, wonderful family.

She was preceded in death by her son, David Gore; her stepdaughter, Nancy Tompkins; her husband, Richard; and her sister, Linda (James) Rogers as well as her dear friend, Ernie Pobuda.

She worked for the City of Traverse City where she met Richard, a Traverse City Firefighter and later at the Grand Traverse District Court with Judge Michael Haley. Though Barb had multiple loves in her life, Richard was truly the love of her life, and they spent over 30 years together. They retired and traveled over four years, visiting and working at state and National Parks. She treasured the friendships of people she met, as well as all the animals she saw along the way.

Barb had a full loving life, and her daughter, Anne, would love family and friends to join her for a visitation starting at 4:00 pm; a gathering of remembrance at 5:00 pm and the informal visitation continuing until 7:00 pm at Life Story Funeral Home on Friday, November 13th. Please bring your stories and your love to share!

Cremation has taken place. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.