Jean Marie Hinde

September 14, 1938 – April 17, 2016

Jean Marie (Parkinson) Hinde passed into our heavenly father’s hands on April 17^th at Kadlec  Medical Center.  She was frail and bedridden the past few years suffering from a lung disease.  Jean was well known and loved in the Tri City communities for her work at Progressive Sales Real Estate, her volunteer work for Christ the King Church through YLI, singing in many choirs and support of many community events.   In her 56 years of marriage to Fred they were blessed with five children.  She is survived by her husband Fred Hinde and children Pat and his wife Amy, Tom, Leighsa and husband Tim, John, Christe and husband Rob as well as her grandchildren Jurnie, Marina, Eli, Cael, Nicole, Kara, Jacqui, Laura, Blake, Rowdy, Kristin, Kayla, Ava and Levi, and great grandchildren Makenna and Makaylee, her brother George Parkinson and wife Mary, and sister Mary Eileen Bowen.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Friday April 22^nd at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1111 Stevens Drive. Richland, WA.  Friends are welcome to attend the following:

1:30 Viewing  -  church

2:30 Rosary  -  church

3:00 Mass/Celebration of life  -  church

4:30 Graveside Service at Sunset Gardens

5:00 Reception  -  church

Jean served as a great inspiration to her family and friends through her optimism and passion for life!

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It was a warm autumn day, the apples hung ripe on the trees when Jean Marie made her appearance on Earth.  Her parents George and “Flossie ”were barely prepared as Jean could not wait to be here.  She arrived several months early weighing almost 4 pounds.  Being the first child afforded her parents time to devote to this tiny precious girl.  She soon grew and her abundant energy, love of movement, and excellent coordination, as well as musicality became noticed by all who knew her.  Her family moved from Jefferson, Iowa to Redfield, Iowa when Jean was 6.  She was delighted with all aspects of living on a farm where there were animals.  Her grandpa Fred lived with the family and spent many hours teaching her about the animals…especially horses. She had a Shetland pony which she loved to ride.  As a young child she announced that when she grew up she would marry grandpa and they would live on a farm with horses!   

By age 6 she also had a brother and sister.  So now as the big sister she led the work and play of childhood directing her siblings.  Jean had an easy going personality, however, one family story is told of the time she got mad at her parents and decided to run away from home.  She loaded her baby sister into the red wagon and led her brother down the dirt road, not being exactly sure where she was going.  However, she soon discovered that she had forgotten her black patent leather shoes and returned home to get them and soon forgot that she was mad. 

Jean showed extraordinary talents throughout her life.  She could do almost anything she set her mind on.  Her beautiful soprano voice along with perfect pitch led her to sing in the church choir, often as a soloist.  She performed in many musicals throughout her life, tap danced, was a gymnast (did cart wheels off the diving board), was an excellent teacher and could manage a busy household with 5 children as well as often holding down jobs outside the home.

In 1956 she graduated from Notre Dame High School with honors and attended Iowa State Teachers College receiving a teaching credential as an Early Childhood teacher in 1958.  As a Kindergarten teacher in Waverly, Iowa she soon became a favorite teacher for many families.

It was a cold winter day when Jean joined a group to toboggan on a nearby Waverly hill.   The group sped down hill after hill becoming more and more exhilarated.  In a moment when the group all tumbled into the soft snow Jean looked up into the sparkling blue eyes of a man holding out his hand to help her up, that man, Fred Hinde,  continued to offer to help her, courted  her and soon wedding bells rang out!  Fred and Jean had a beautiful marriage of over 56 years.  Fred’s job as an industrial engineer grew and they lived in five states: Iowa, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington. 

 The Hinde family was blessed with five incredible children.  Pat, Tom, Leighsa, John and Christe .  As they grew into adults they gave Jean and Fred fourteen grandchildren and 2 great grand children: Jurnie, Marina, Eli, Cael, Nikki, Kara, Jacqui, Laura, Blake, Rowdy, Kristen, Kayla, Ava, Levi, Makenna and Makaylee. 

Jean and Fred lived in the Tri-cities for the past 33 years and worked together as realtors for Progressive Sales.  Jean was well known for her honest and fair practices being professional yet kind.  One of her greatest pleasures was finding just the right house for a family.  She worked until a few years ago when ill health led her to retire. 

Another great pleasure for Jean was traveling.  While Fred kept the home fires burning Jean traveled to Arizona, Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland, Italy,  England and other cities and ports in Europe with friends and family. 

Jean suffered the past few years with Pulmonary Fibrosis however, kept an optimistic outlook, often commenting how grateful she was for her life.  Strong and sturdy threads of her love of God and Christ wove continually throughout her life.  She gave generously to her family and community.  Her inspiration will live on in our lives.

Comments from family and friends:

When I was in the hospital giving birth to my next child, Jean was there potty training my older child at home.  I think she eventually trained all four of my children

My  wife’s mother, Jean, was the first person in the family that accepted me from the get go.  When we were young and poor the whole family would go to the coast on vacation.  We could not afford to go, but Jean would call and arrange jobs in her yard which she paid well to do so that we could go with the family on vacation.

My mom and I loved to watch musicals.  We would rent a movie, and rest on her big bed together while she gently rubbed my back.  We did this many nights.  I loved it!

Mom ate pop corn every day of her life and Sunday night we always looked forward to pop-corn, milk shakes and The Wonderful World of Disney.

My grandma saved all of her empty Kleenex boxes and gave them to me for crafting.

Grandma Jean showed up daily after the birth of my baby.  She would knock on the door and say : ”I came to rock the baby” After an hour of rocking and singing she would hand me the baby and leave announcing she would be back “tomorrow” which she did for at least a year.  My child wanted to be rocked until she was fully 5 years old. 

Everyone remembers Jean would never let me go without saying “I love you!” 

Jean never missed a birthday ….always calling to sing Happy Birthday!

Grandma always had her nails painted.

My mom was the best—she was fun—she loved life—lived life—was optimistic—everyone should have such a great mom!

Mom treated you like you were the favorite---although she never played favorites. 

As mom was taking her last breath her children spoke softly into her ear and said “Now you will sing with the angels” and a huge smile spread across her face.