Dabney Maus Tompkins

Dabney Maus Tompkins passed away peacefully and without pain on January 18, 2026, at the age of 82, just weeks shy of her 83rd birthday. She lived her life boldly, authentically, and on her own terms—and she left this world the same way.

Born on February 16, 1943, she grew up in Eden, North Carolina, and later made her home in Saratoga, California, where she spent most of her adult life, before relocating to Washington State in 2022.

Always by her side was the love of her life, Woody Tompkins. In December 2025, they celebrated 45 years of marriage. Woody describes her best when he says, “She may have had some rough edges, but wow—at her core she was pure gold.”

She believed deeply in the ironies of life and in spirituality, finding meaning in unexpected places and trusting that life often unfolded exactly as it was meant to. She was truly one of a kind. A trailblazer in her field, she broke barriers as the first woman sales representative for Heinz and also spent time after as a home economics teacher, always sharing knowledge with purpose and heart.She was an adventurer and someone who spoke her truth openly and directly, always rooted in love and sincerity.

In the last three years of her life, she faced cancer with remarkable strength and resolve, fighting fiercely and refusing to let it define her spirit. Even in illness, she remained fully herself—independent, humorous, determined, and unwavering in how she chose to live.

She is survived and forever loved by her husband, Woody Tompkins; her daughter Crista Galen Kornahrens and grandchildren Croi and Ava Kornahrens; her daughter Jody Eliza Tharp and son-in-law Derek Tharp; and her grandchildren Heartlyn and Hunter Tharp. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and Clyde Maus, and her beloved aunt, Francis Ikenberry.

She will be remembered for her strength, her voice, her originality, and the fierce love she had for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the lessons she shared, and the example she set by living fully, thoughtfully, and unapologetically until the very end.

At this time, there will not be a formal celebration of life. However, the family warmly welcomes and deeply values the sharing of memories, stories, and reflections, which honor Dabney’s life and the many ways she impacted those around her.