Barbara Loraine Hinkson

Barbara Loraine (Owen) Hinkson, age 100, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2020 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Barbara grew up in Three Rivers, MA and was a graduate of Palmer High School, Class of 1937. In 1941, she married James Richards Hinkson who predeceased her and began raising a family in Longmeadow, MA. Together Barbara and Jim ran the Hinkson Paper Company in Palmer for over 30 years, providing paper products to school districts throughout New England. After a 10 year stay in Connecticut where she worked for Talbots, she moved to Florida to embrace its warm and sunny climate. In Florida, she worked with Literacy Volunteers for America for many years. Barbara had a great and generous spirit. She loved to travel. She went parasailing and hot air ballooning. She loved planning creative parties for her children and friends. She raised orchids, kept up with current events, loved jigsaw puzzles and played a mean game of dominos. For her 100th birthday in 2019, four generations of her family and many friends gathered for a weeklong celebration of her life. She was also presented with a Certificate of Recognition of her 100th birthday by the City Council of Bonita Springs. Barbara was born on May 2, 1919 in Manchester, NH to Frederick and Laura May (Mitchell) Owen. Her family traveled throughout New England before settling in Three Rivers as her father was a dyer in the textile industry and was in demand when new mills were opening. In Three Rivers, he was chief dyer in the Otis Mills in Three Rivers. Barbara will be deeply missed by her daughters—Barbara Craig and Ann Lees of Bonita Springs, FL; Laura Sullivan and her husband Denny of Jefferson, ME; and Holly Martel and her partner Bill Kennedy of Vero Beach, Florida; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and three great, great-grandchildren. Her sister, Thurley Roberta (Owen) Chase Ratigan and her brother, Frederick Owen predeceased her, and she was a great comfort and inspiration to their children—Patricia (Chase) McNeil and her husband, Jerry, of Seattle, WA; Robert (Rocky) Chase and his wife, Anja, of Falls Church, VA; Judy Snyder and Rick Owen and his wife, Natalie, of Belchertown, MA; and Pam Owen of Gloucester, MA. A memorial service will be held on Barbara’s birthday in Bonita Springs, FL. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978

Barbara Loraine Hinkson

May 2, 1919 - February 26, 2020