Mary Jane Hinds, 95, of Winthrop passed peacefully on Oct. 1, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Born in Augusta, Maine on Sept. 24, 1928, Mary Jane was the third of eight children of Clara Simonson Johnson and Kenneth Johnson. She was educated in a one room schoolhouse in Chelsea for eight years and graduated from Cony High School in 1946.

Mary Jane met her future husband, Palmer “Sparky” Hinds Jr. of Gardiner, while at a dance at Island Park on Cobbosseecontee Lake. They always said it was “love at first sight.” They married in 1948 and stayed happily married for 68 years, until Palmer’s passing in 2017…true soulmates! “Together Forever” will be etched on their gravestone at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery.

Over the years, Mary Jane was employed at Bates Mfg., Camp Keyes, and Togus V.A., in Augusta, Cummings Const. Co. in Winthrop, the Jai Alai in West Palm Beach, Florida and Newport, Rhode Island, the U.S. Post Office and Brown Brother’s restaurant in Boothbay Harbor, and Sully’s Restaurant in Winthrop. Mary Jane never shied away from hard work or a new challenge … she may have been small in stature but was as “strong as an ox.”

Next to her family, friends, good conversation, puzzles, and sunbathing on a beach, flowers were her passion, and they taught her well; with patience, nurturing, determination, and lots of love, her gardens flourished…and she raised her sons the same way. Raising four rambunctious boys, being a loving wife, working full time jobs, taking care of household chores, packing the family of six (along with a dog) into one vehicle for the annual trip to Florida, and still having time to attend her sons’ sporting events and school activities is nothing short of a miracle.

Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary Jane is survived by her four very grateful sons, Tim Hinds of Boothbay Harbor and Winthrop, Jeff Hinds of Winthrop, Chuck Hinds and his wife Mary Jane of Augusta, Rick Hinds and his fiancé Doni Wylie of Winthrop and Boothbay Harbor; two grandchildren, Kimberly Hinds Perry, and her husband Kevin of Manchester, New Hampshire and Scott Hinds of Portland; and her great-grandchildren, Khloe Perry and Kamryn Perry also of Manchester, N.H. Mary Jane is also survived by sisters, Marcella Dowling of Hallowell, Gail Parker and her husband Dana of Farmingdale, and brother Bruce and his wife Linda of Hallowell; along with many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Mary Jane was predeceased by her parents and husband, along with siblings, Lorraine Stout of Belgrade, Betty Bailey of Farmington, Kenneth Johnson of Winthrop, and Bert Johnson of Georgia.

“Walk with your loved ones through endless fields of heavenly flowers mom and give our love to dad. Know that we will all be together again in due time”.

Peace & Godspeed

A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Sully’s, 6 Union St. Winthrop, Maine.

Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com