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Tompkins, Catherine "Toni"

October 14, 2025

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Date of Service: October 28, 2025

CATHERINE “TONI” ANTOINETTE TOMPKINS passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the remarkable age of 102 years.

Born and raised in Beaver Mines, Alberta, Toni was one of eleven children born to Antoinette and Guillaume Biron. After graduating high school, Toni attended Henderson College and earned a business diploma. She worked as Executive Director at the YMCA, a role she cherished and frequently spoke of with fondness.

In 1949 Toni married the love of her life, Patrick and together raised seven children. As a devout Roman Catholic, she was a strong supporter of the re-opening of St. Patrick’s Church where she was married and attended with her family. Patrick volunteered on the construction of St. Pat’s Church.

From 1976 to 1999 they owned and operated the Gift Gallery in the Elrancho Motor Hotel (now the Coast Hotel). Mom had excellent taste and imported beautiful giftware from around the world. In 1983 she founded Tompkins Jewellers, a business now run by daughter Lisa Tompkins, continuing her mother’s legacy.

She is survived by her children: Mallory (Renee) Tompkins; Patricia (Tom) Toney; Mark Tompkins; Michele (Tom) Mihalik; Annette (Jaye Asplund); and Lisa Tompkins (Eric Deringer). She is also survived by her sisters Lillian Gallagher and Gloria Higgenbotham. Her memory lives on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She joins in memory her husband Patrick, son Gregory, and granddaughter Lana Toney—whose absence is deeply felt.

Mom’s ‘secret’ to a long and healthy life was a perpetual desire to learn new things and stay active in mind and body. We will remember her laughter, sense of adventure, love for family, and firm belief that life is meant to be lived with curiosity, kindness, purpose and faith.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at Good Sams West Highlands for their compassionate care, and to the doctors and nurses at Lethbridge Regional Hospital for their gentle support and dignity during mom’s final days.

A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, with Father Valentine Suum officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd West, Lethbridge, AB, with Father Valentine Suum celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Toni’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.