Geraldine Ann Tompkins

Geraldine Anne Marino passed away on August 7, 2026, in Auburn, California, just nine days before her 93rd birthday. She was born on August 16, 1933, in Stockton, California, and lived a life filled with love, hard work, family, faith, adventure, and wonderful stories.

Geraldine was a caring and giving person who naturally thought of others before herself. She worked hard throughout her life and, after her marriage ended she became a single mother dedicated to providing a good life and a loving home for her only son, Rodney J. Tompkins. There were many times when she sacrificed her own wants and needs to make sure Rodney was cared for. Her devotion to her son and, later, to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, remained one of the defining qualities of her life.

Geraldine was also an adventurer at heart.

That spirit was present from her childhood. Growing up between Stockton and Georgetown, California, she spent time with her grandparents, who operated the American Hotel in Georgetown during the 1940s, when the area was surrounded by sawmills and logging operations. She loved telling stories about those days, including tales of bears wandering into the backyard and the colorful characters and experiences of life in the foothills.

She carried that adventurous spirit throughout her life. Geraldine traveled alone to Mexico City, where she enjoyed its history, culture, and beauty. On another adventure, she took a Clipper cruise by herself along the New England coast, even working alongside the crew to help raise and lower the sails. These were not simply trips to Geraldine—they were experiences to be lived, remembered, and, most importantly, talked about afterward.

And Geraldine was quite the storyteller.

She was known for being a talker, and her stories often became the center of family gatherings. Whether she was remembering her younger years in Georgetown, describing her adventures, recounting her days in New York, or simply sharing something that had happened to her, Geraldine had a way of bringing people into her stories. Her family will remember not only the stories themselves, but the enthusiasm and personality with which she told them.

In the early 1970s, Geraldine moved to Northern Virginia to be closer to her son and her sister, Noreen Marino Lamb. She built a career spanning many years in the telephone industry, working for Pacific Bell, AT&T, and NYNEX, from which she retired in the late 1990s.

During her years in Northern Virginia, she also volunteered as a docent at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Her love of the arts gave her the opportunity to participate as an extra in several productions there during the 1970s—another memorable chapter in a life that was never short on interesting experiences.

Geraldine later moved to Staten Island and worked in New York City. She loved the excitement and energy of the city and everything it had to offer. She especially enjoyed telling stories about riding the Staten Island Ferry to and from work each day, the neighborhoods and local markets, and the wonderful Italian food she discovered and loved.

After retirement, Geraldine returned to the California foothills and settled in Auburn to be near her son and his family. She continued to be the person her family could count on. She was always willing to help, and one of the highlights of her retirement years was being there for her daughter-in-law (Gina Tompkins) and helping care for her great-grandson, Rocco. The time she spent with Rocco became a particularly special part of her later years.

Geraldine was also a devoted Catholic throughout her life. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Stockton, California. After moving to Auburn, she became a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and sang in the choir for many years. Her faith and music were important parts of her life until dementia eventually made it difficult for her to continue.

Geraldine is survived by her only son, Rodney (Lori); her grandchildren, Rodney Jr. (Danielle), Jacob (Mimi), and Jessee (Janelle); and her five great-grandchildren, Jacob Jr., Rocco, Pearce, Gianna, and Dominic Tompkins. She is also survived by her sister, Noreen Marino Lamb and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Geraldine's life was one of devotion, sacrifice, faith, curiosity, and adventure. She spent much of her life caring for others, but she also found ways to experience the world, pursue her interests, and collect the stories that her family will continue to tell.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She gave freely of herself, always seemed to have a story to tell, and left behind memories that will live on through the generations of her family.

Geraldine is now at peace and in the loving presence of God, reunited with those who went before her. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is in a better place, while holding close all the wonderful memories of the remarkable woman she was.

A service will be held at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Auburn CA, 1162 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603 at 10AM Wednesday August 26, 2026.

She will be deeply loved, greatly missed, and forever remembered.