Obituary for Sophia Thompkins
We are Shelly Angelo and Terri Nelson, the daughters of Sophia (Clark) Thompkins, and we are honored to share with you some of the wonderful things about the woman we were blessed to call “Mom”, who left us on December 9, 2020 at the age of 89.
Mom was born in Ashland, Maine on August 9, 1931, to Henry J. Clark and Sadie Cyr Clark, the tenth of 17 children. She was born and raised on a farm, her father owned the general store, and as a child, she would steal candy from behind the counter! She grew up loving Country music and poetry, spending time singing, playing piano and guitar and writing poetry. Her brother Vern was also a music lover and together they entertained the family while on the farm, as well as later in life. Vern’s Café in Hartford was where you’d find them…for many years…singing, laughing, playing piano, and making music for everyone who stepped foot through the door.
At the age of 18, she met the love of her life, our father, Charles L. Thompkins, and they were married on December 23, 1950 and moved to Connecticut in 1965. Mom also graduated from high school in 1950. Our parents were married for 39 wonderful years, when our Dad passed away in 1990. Together, they raised five children in a warm, loving home.
Our Mom was known to many as “Nana”. She was the grandmother to 11 children, the great-grandmother to 17 children and the great-great grandmother to two children. She was loved by all her brothers, sisters and many nieces and nephews, and she loved them right back! Family was everything to Mom, and it brought so much joy spending time with them or talking with them on the phone.
Never losing her zest for life, Mom joined the Windsor Cameo Club in 1995 and spent many years entertaining as part of the club, in addition to on her own. She went on to experience one of the most special moments of her life, which was being crowned Ms. Senior Connecticut in 1999. She adored her tiara and banner, and wore them with pride to special events and gatherings…or even just around town!
Mom took two special trips – Ireland and Jerusalem. While in Ireland, she kissed the Blarney Stone at age 70. Jerusalem was the trip of a lifetime for her, as a faith-filled woman – she went with her childhood friend Father Hazen – while she was there, she felt safe and closer to God then she ever had before.
Mom also enjoyed cooking and baking, and if you were lucky enough, she would stop by your house, or the daycare, senior center, repair shop (you name it!) to share her goodies and a story! Senior centers around the state would look forward to her visits, which came complete with singing and dancing in addition to goodies. Living simply, giving to others and making people smile and sharing happiness were such an important part of her life.
Some of our Mom’s poetry was published, while other poetry was written by hand. We’d like to share with you her last piece of poetry, written on October 15, 2020. We hope you read these words in our Mom’s voice, and keep the with you, always.
You are the best
The best of the rest
I love you still
And always will
Don’t leave me alone
Take me with you
To go home
There’s no place like home
There’s no place like home
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.
Mom was born in Ashland, Maine on August 9, 1931, to Henry J. Clark and Sadie Cyr Clark, the tenth of 17 children. She was born and raised on a farm, her father owned the general store, and as a child, she would steal candy from behind the counter! She grew up loving Country music and poetry, spending time singing, playing piano and guitar and writing poetry. Her brother Vern was also a music lover and together they entertained the family while on the farm, as well as later in life. Vern’s Café in Hartford was where you’d find them…for many years…singing, laughing, playing piano, and making music for everyone who stepped foot through the door.
At the age of 18, she met the love of her life, our father, Charles L. Thompkins, and they were married on December 23, 1950 and moved to Connecticut in 1965. Mom also graduated from high school in 1950. Our parents were married for 39 wonderful years, when our Dad passed away in 1990. Together, they raised five children in a warm, loving home.
Our Mom was known to many as “Nana”. She was the grandmother to 11 children, the great-grandmother to 17 children and the great-great grandmother to two children. She was loved by all her brothers, sisters and many nieces and nephews, and she loved them right back! Family was everything to Mom, and it brought so much joy spending time with them or talking with them on the phone.
Never losing her zest for life, Mom joined the Windsor Cameo Club in 1995 and spent many years entertaining as part of the club, in addition to on her own. She went on to experience one of the most special moments of her life, which was being crowned Ms. Senior Connecticut in 1999. She adored her tiara and banner, and wore them with pride to special events and gatherings…or even just around town!
Mom took two special trips – Ireland and Jerusalem. While in Ireland, she kissed the Blarney Stone at age 70. Jerusalem was the trip of a lifetime for her, as a faith-filled woman – she went with her childhood friend Father Hazen – while she was there, she felt safe and closer to God then she ever had before.
Mom also enjoyed cooking and baking, and if you were lucky enough, she would stop by your house, or the daycare, senior center, repair shop (you name it!) to share her goodies and a story! Senior centers around the state would look forward to her visits, which came complete with singing and dancing in addition to goodies. Living simply, giving to others and making people smile and sharing happiness were such an important part of her life.
Some of our Mom’s poetry was published, while other poetry was written by hand. We’d like to share with you her last piece of poetry, written on October 15, 2020. We hope you read these words in our Mom’s voice, and keep the with you, always.
You are the best
The best of the rest
I love you still
And always will
Don’t leave me alone
Take me with you
To go home
There’s no place like home
There’s no place like home
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.