Helen Zaebish Tompkins of Ketchum left this earth on the afternoon of July 2, surrounded by her family. Her passing was peaceful. Her life spanned an incredible 94 years of happiness.
Helen was born in Pittsburgh, Penn. on August 31, 1913. As a young woman she was a successful stage actress. In Detroit, Michigan, acting in a play called "The Drunkard," Helen met Arthur Tompkins who was to become her future husband. They soon married and made their home in southern California where they had two sons. In 1948 they moved to a small, unheard-of beach community called Malibu. Helen was a homemaker until her sons left home. She then became a receptionist at a doctor's office, taught the Bates method of eye exercise, and later started a prosperous importing business from her home. Her business took her all over the world.
In 1977 Helen and her husband Arthur (Tommy), moved to Ketchum to be near their sons, immediately fell in love with the area and spent the rest of their lives here. Helen's husband Tommy preceded her in death. She is survived by her two sons, Steve and Bill (BT), her daughter-in-law Marcie, two granddaughters, Jessica of San Francisco and Lori of Boise. Many knew her as the interesting, friendly lady who sat at the tables in Atkinson's Market drinking coffee, and having lunch with her friends both at Perry's and before that at The Kitchen. She will be missed by all who knew and loved this lovely lady.
A celebration of Helen's life will take place Friday, July 18 at 322 Broadway in Ketchum at 4:00 p.m. Please come and share your special stories and experiences that you had with Helen.
