Cinda Tompkins
(1960-2011)
Music came into our life when Cinda Marie Tompkins was born to Jim and Patsy (Lovely) Tompkins on June 28, 1960. After a long and courageous battle with a brain tumor, Cinda passed on to be with our Lord and Savior. Cinda had a great love for music; she took formative piano lessons from the late Doris Luebeck. As a teenager she sang, played guitar, clarinet, organ, and piano at nursing homes, church and when camping with family. After graduating from Capital High School she continued on her music path to the University of Montana where she studied with Professor Steven Hesla and earned her B.A. She then completed a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Illinois where she studied with Dr. Kenneth Drake and Dr. James Lyke. She continued as an adjunct instructor at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.
Cinda was a nationally certified teacher of music and a Montana State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA) Master Teacher. Missing mountains and family she returned home where she maintained a private piano studio encouraging and mentoring people of all ages. For more than 30 years, Cinda provided music in the Helena community and was an accomplished pianist/organist.
Cinda’s interests included hiking, fishing, camping, contra and folk dancing, games, crosswords, and Aunt Cinda days. She loved traveling and new adventures. Her music continues on in our hearts.
Cinda is survived by her parents, sisters Kathleen (Ed) Field, Jaime Tompkins, Gwen (Brook) George, nephews Ryan and Paul Field, Sam George and niece Sophia George. Uncles Don Lovely, Allen (Myrle) Tompkins, Tom (Janet) Tompkins and many cousins.
She was preceded by grandparents Jessie and Kuert Lovely and Bernadine and Elwood Tompkins.
Memorials in Cinda’s name may be sent to:
MSMTA Cinda Tompkins Annual Scholarship;
c/o Carla Bell;
2700 1st Ave. N;
Great Falls, MT 59401;
Plymouth Congregational Church; 400 South Oakes St.; Helena, MT 59601;
St. Peters Hospice of Helena; 2475 Broadway; Helena, MT 59601.
Please join us for a celebration of her life at Plymouth Congregational Church at 400 South Oakes Street in Helena on Saturday November 19 at 1 p.m.
To offer a condolence or share a memory of Cinda, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Cecelia Notess says
My thoughts and prayers are with Cinda’s loving family and friends.
Some of my fondest memories involve travels with Cinda to dances in the Flathead Valley. All along the way she told stories of each place where great memories were made with family. We laughed ourselves to tears, discussed living intentionally, and she made me wish I could sing hymns like she did – with such a voice and with excellent recall.
“The Joy of the Lord is my strength.” That makes me think of Cinda. She grasped the key to life in her relationship with Jesus and it freed her to live with delight. It enabled her intelligence and talent to be tempered with gratitude, wisdom and understanding. I thank God for Cinda’s vibrancy and for the gift she’s been to so many.
Shannon Durkee says
I am so sorry to hear of Cinda’s passing. I was a piano student of her’s for many years. She was an amazing musician and taught me so much. She had a tremendous talent and she and Rosie the dog will always be in my heart. May your memories of her give you comfort.
Linda Kindrick says
Patsy, Jim, Kathie and Ed – we were so sorry to read of Cinda’s passing. She has touched many lives through her years as a piano teacher, including our daughter.
Peace and grace to you during this difficult time.
Emily Trapp Hackethorn says
I am sorry to hear of Cinda’s passing. She is making music in heaven! Cinda taught me so much about being a musician, and I get to use and share that knowledge everyday. I am so thankful I had those seven special years of lessons with her. I loved the days when we would pick music, and Cinda would play for me…there are so many memories. What an amazing woman! I’ll miss her smile, laughs, advice, and hugs.
Marilyn Yetter Olson says
My prayers are with you, I was a classmate of Cinda’s and enjoyed her friendship growing up. I remember her music ability and enjoyed her sharing it with everyone. God bless you all and hold you close during this time.
Nancy Sweeney says
Cinda was a wonderful person who improved the lives of many young people through music. I was lucky to know Cinda for 7 years when we both served on the board of the Helena Youth Choir. Her dedicated service to the Youth Choir influenced my daughter,and other children,and helped them explore their musical gifts. Cinda was loved and will be missed.
Kenneth W. Moore says
It was a joy to have Cinda as our Church Organist at First Christian Church. She treated us to a rich variety of wonderful music, played the organ as a lively tempo, and timed her music so that worship started exactly on the hour (even if the pastor wasn’t quite ready to go!) She was a dear friend to our family as well as serving as a very professional member of our church staff.
Kerisa (May) Armstrong says
Patsy, Jim, & Family,
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this diffifult time. We are so thankful we were able to see Cinda at George and Marilyn’s anniversary. She was an amazing person.
Love,
Kerisa, Josh, Jadyn, Laurynn, John and Brady Armstrong
Bethel Wagner says
I am so sorry to hear that Cinda has passed away. She was always so cheerful and upbeat, even when she was in the midst of fighting her tumor. Not only was she an incredible piano teacher to me and countless other students, she was also an inspirational role model in the way she dealt with her illness. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of studying with her and enjoying her friendship!
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Cinda taught our youngest daugher to play the piano. She was truly a blessing to our family and instilled in our daughter a life long love for music. We are saddened by her passing. Cinda played in our church, First Presbyterian many times and her music and beautiful smile always added to the service. She will certainly be missed.
Randi Levin says
Cinda was one of the most tenacious people I have ever known. Her dedication to her students, music and living her life as fully as possible were inspirational. Her musical legacy will be with us for a very long time. My condolences to all who knew her.
Molly Miltenberger says
I wish that I could come to share your grief in person – Cinda gave me lessons years ago in highschool, and that time with her impacted my life in innumerable ways besides giving me such a love and appreciation for beautiful music. She had so much strength of character and an enthusiasm for finesse that gave me a real love for perfection and polish that I never would have had otherwise, but I especially loved the occasions that we got off of the subject of music (which was all the time) and just shared life together… I miss time with her to this day, and I miss her so much right now. Love and best regards to all of her family!
John Dorr says
I was acquainted with Cinda through the local music teachers associations. While we weren’t close friends, we always shared a friendly encounter when we’d meet. My favorite memory of that is when she came into the music store where I was working and when I told her it was my birthday that day she promptly pounced on the nearest piano and played a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” for me. I’ll always remember that.
We’ve lost an enthusiastic educator who leaves a rich musical legacy to our town.
Bev Hill says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our sympathy. It is so hard to lose a child of your heart. I know as we lost our son Glen nearly 2 years ago. Knowing her Lord and Savior has put her safely in His arms.
Susan Near says
On summer eves when I lived on 8th Avenue I would hear my next door neighbor Cinda playing piano-I’d rush out and sit on my porch so I would hear it better!
Cinda was a lovely person, always fun to talk with and down to earth. I was so lucky when she agreed seven years ago to play at my wedding-it was a memory I’ll always treasure!
My sympathies for your loss.
Sue
Nancy and Dana Walker says
Cinda played at serveral of our Christmas parties at our log home in Jefferson City.
Cinda really was appreciated by all that attended and especially Nancy and me.
She was a wonderful person and pianist.
God Bless and may the Lord be with her.
Nancy and Dana Walker
Monica says
Cinda, you taught me so much about music and the importance of patience, practice, and perseverence. I will never forget you. Thank you for everything. I know that you are now in the heavens playing music for Our Lord.
Sally Homer Heuscher says
Tomkins family:
So many memories of Cinda, from Sunday School as young girls to college adventures at UM. I’ll alway think fondly of Cinda and her lovely music. Glad to know she is at peace now.
Sally Homer Heuscher
Tim Meier says
Cinda and I were classmates at the University of Montana. We were best friends. We ate in the dining halls nearly every evening. We provided encouragement and hope to each other when we couldn’t find it on our own. I have missed her for years, and will miss her even more now. Her laughter will always stay with me, however; it was an outstanding laugh, as was/is her spirit.