Josephine (Tompkins) Paradis

Josephine (Tompkins) Paradis, 79, of Traverse City Michigan, passed away on February 18, 2026 after seven years with dementia. She was with her daughters when she peacefully transitioned.

Josephine (Jo) was born June 20, 1946 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Donald Tompkins and Cecilia (Ridderickoff) Tompkins, both veterans of World War II.

Jo graduated from White Cloud High School in 1964, but spent several years at Elk Rapids High School and has always been considered a member of the ERHS Class of '64. After high school, Jo spent a year in Portland, Oregon where she attended Portland Community College and worked at the newspaper The Oregonian before returning to northern Michigan.

Jo married Michael Paradis on July 30, 1966 at Kewadin United Methodist Church. They lived in Kewadin on Cairn Side Farms, where they welcomed two daughters, Nichole Marie in 1967 and Collette Cecelia in 1969. In 1980, they bought a farm and built a house in Williamsburg to farm and operate a receiving station for cherries. They divorced in 1992.

Jo worked for Elk Rapids Schools in the 1980s, American Spoon in the 1990s and 2000s, and Comfort Keepers in the 2010s. She took pride in her attention to customer service and in forming relationships with her co-workers and the people she served. She volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at Kewadin United Methodist Church in the 1970s and 1980s.

Jo had a contagious laugh and sense of humor. She was a story teller and shared family history with her children and grandchildren through stories and songs from multiple generations. She appreciated music of all kinds and shared that love with family and friends.

Her four grandchildren knew her as Gram Jojo. She loved and appreciated each of their unique personalities and talents. She cheered each of them on and was incredibly proud of their academic, athletic, dance, and musical accomplishments. Grandma delighted in making them laugh and bringing joy into their lives.

Remaining to cherish her memory are her daughters Nichole (Paradis) Pangburn and her husband Daniel Pangburn, Collette (Paradis) Champagne and her husband Tom Champagne, and her grandchildren Mitchell Stachnik, Clarie Stachnik, Star Pangburn, and Nate Pangburn. Surviving nieces and nephews include Gary Charles Tompkins, and Kelly Jo (Tompkins) King, Bill Cook, Melanie (Cook) White, Michele (Cook) Ulrich, JoEllen (Paradis) Ziesmer, Tom Paradis, and Leah (Langusch) Nicholson. As her father was one of 14 children, and her mother one of 5 children, Jo had dozens of beloved cousins with whom she spent time. She had much love for her entire extended family, many of whom she considered nieces and nephews who will also cherish the memory of "Aunt Jo."

Preceding Josephine in death are her parents, Donald Tompkins and Cecilia (Ridderickoff) Tompkins; brother Robert Tompkins, step mother Ann Tompkins, niece Terri (Paradis) Armstrong, and nephew Barry Cook.

The family wishes to extend their profound gratitude to the kind and compassionate staff at The Cottages of Grand Traverse Pavilions and Hospice of Michigan. And to Michele Cook Ulrich and Karen Rolf, who helped us to keep her safe at home for so long.

Visitation will be held Sunday, February 22nd at 10:00am at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home at 305 West Sixth Street in Traverse City. Memorial will follow at 11:00am at Reynolds-Jonkhoff.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine's memory may be directed to TART Trail or Hospice of Michigan.

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