WESTFIELD – Karen Lee (Barnes) Tompkins, of Westfield MA, passed away peacefully on August 29th, 2026, at the age of eighty years old. Karen was predeceased by her mother Emma (Wemmette) Barnes and father Raymond Barnes, her husband Clayton Odell Tompkins, and daughter Kelley Marie Tompkins. She is survived by her daughter Noel (Tompkins) Whalen, son Jason Tompkins, grandson Brandon Tompkins, and granddaughter Eliza Whalen.
Karen was a longtime cake decorator who owned her own business and had made many cakes for numerous members of the community. She was always willing to bake goods for her children’s school functions and many church functions. Karen was a certified Wilton cake decorating instructor, and taught classes in many locations.
Karen was also an active member of her church. She was a member of the handbell choir and several other church groups throughout the years.
Karen touched many lives through her baking, church involvement, occasional substitute teaching, and by babysitting. She will be missed by all.
Calling hours will be held at Firtion Adams Funeral Home in Westfield, MA on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. A funeral home service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment to follow after at Pine Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research. The family would also like to thank the staff at Westfield Gardens Nursing Home for all of their loving care that they gave to Karen through her final years. www.firtionadams.com
