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REBA GRACE (‘GRACIE’) CARNEY HINKLEY

Reba Grace (“Gracie”) Carney Hinkley, 74, of Hallieford, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her loved ones on June 13, 2019.  

She was born to the late Faye and Otis Carney of Gwynn’s Island, on Sept. 6, 1944. 

She worked tirelessly throughout her professional life, but was most passionate about her family. Always a caregiver with her whole heart leading her, she welcomed newcomers with ease and her “family” extended well beyond the ties of blood.  If you had the good fortune to meet her, you were already family. Her warm, welcoming smile was her outward expression of her care, compassion, and acceptance of those she encountered. Love was in everything she did and often took the form of baking and cooking. Her cookies were world renowned and countless friends and family celebrated a love affair with her deviled eggs.

She loved fishing, watching the birds in her backyard, and cherished sunrises over Gwynn’s Island from her porch. Reba taught us to forgive often, embrace others, and to love selflessly. We were blessed by her many gifts. 

Reba was married to the late Robert C. Hinkley Sr. on April 23, 1966 and together they raised three children in Saugerties, New York.

Reba is survived by her life partner, Charles Ware; her beloved children, Michele Cechini (Mark), Robert Hinkley Jr. (Amanda), and Debra Bettis (Terry); younger brothers, Jack and Bill Carney; grandchildren who have been her greatest joy, Jessica, Robert, Tommy, Victoria, Hannah, Kayla, Autumn, and Katie, and great-grandchildren Emilio and Matteo.  

Her warm smile, generous spirit, and loving nature will be missed beyond measure. Somber and sad were not her style, and nothing would make her happier than for her friends and family to come together in one of her favorite places, raise a glass to a life well-lived, and honor her with the same joy she brought to everyone she met.

The family invites you to a celebration of Reba’s life at the Gloucester Brewing Company, Gloucester, at 11 a.m. on July 20, 2019. Together we can share a special memory, make some new ones, and cherish her life.