Joan C. Hinman, a lifelong resident of Linwood, passed away Monday, March 18, 2024, at home. She was 86 years of age.
She was born, and raised in Delaware County (PA.) later becoming a Linwood resident in 1957 and over the span of many years immersed herself in various civic and community endeavors. She was a former member of the Northfield Garden Club, the Women’s Club of Linwood and a Auxiliary member (Green Ladies) at Shore Memorial Hospital. She gave countless hours manning the phones at all hours of the day and night for Contact Atlantic in its formative years. Joan was a former member of the production staff of the Mainland Journal, working with her husband and her father-in-law, the late John A. Hinman, publisher of the weekly newspaper.
She also was a graphic artist with the Sentinel Ledger (Ocean City weekly) for 33 years and won first place awards in the NJPA Better Newspaper contest for her creative ads. Her warm, omnipresent smile and ingratiating personality prompted the late George Cavileer, former executive director of the Miss America Pageant, to draft her for the production dance ensemble that appeared on national television in 1978.
In more recent years she served as spokesperson for the Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund, delivering warm, inspiring messages to hundreds. She was a cancer survivor for over 24 years and also battled the debilitating effects of MS.
It was said her warmth enabled her to enter a room full of strangers and leave with a room full of friends. For years she worked with City Historian Carolyn Patterson in producing the highly-acclaimed Linwood Newsletter. Most recently was a volunteer at Shore Medical Center. She always maintained her greatest enjoyment was seeing the maturation of her daughters into productive young ladies.
She was preceded by her treasured husband of over 50 years, Robert M. Hinman.
She is survived by her daughters: Pamela Learn (Michael) of Ventnor and Bonnie Sharp (Hugh) of Somers Point.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a gathering of friends prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. at Adams-Perfect Funeral Homes, Inc. 1650 New Road Northfield, NJ 08225. Interment will be held at Laurel Memorial Park Cemetery.
Lieu of flowers it is requested memorial contribution be made in Joan’s name to: Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund (609) 822-7172 or www.shirleymaefund.org
Those complimentary words were written by my late Husband, Bob. He was always organized, and I have no doubt he has reserved a place next to him. That’s a good thing, Joan.
