Barbara A. Hinds

Barbara P (Allen) Hinds, 96, passed away on October 11, 2021 at the Doolittle Home in Foxboro, MA. Born on April 15, 1925 in Brewer, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Ethel D (Small) Allen and the late Royce P Allen. In 1947, following her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree studies in English at the University of Maine, she married her husband, the late James A Hinds of Winthrop, Maine, whom she met at U Maine following his return from service in the United States Marine Corps in the South Pacific. They resided in Old Town, Maine for 15 years where she taught secondary school English at the Helen Hunt School.

Following the birth of her sons Jim and Phil, the family moved to Walpole, Massachusetts in 1964. Barbara taught English and literature at Walpole High School for 21 years, where her favorite subjects included AP English, World Literature, and Black Literature, which was a course she developed shortly after her arrival at Walpole High and that she taught for the remainder of her career. Barbara’s career at Walpole High was a true joy in her life, and the fond memories of the students and colleagues whose lives she touched stayed with her throughout her years.

Travel was a highlight of her retirement, including three trips to the British Isles and one to Europe. She also joined her husband on a trip to the White House for the 45th anniversary of the Iwo Jima landing, and 5th Marine Division reunions in Philadelphia and Salt Lake City. In her later years, Barbara was delighted to share this passion for travel with her friends at the Walpole Senior Center, and enjoyed many trips in the senior van, often piloted by her son Jim! In addition, Barbara was an avid reader, and shared her literary interests with family and friends alike, to the betterment of all. Barbara particularly enjoyed English village murder mysteries and police procedurals, social satire and women’s issues novels, biographies of notable figures in British and American history, and always, the Boston Globe.

Above all, Barbara delighted in frequent visits to and by her family, including several years spent helping to care for her grandchildren. She leaves behind many who loved her immensely: Her son Jim and his partner Mary Happ of Walpole, MA; son Phil and his wife Kathy (Harlow) of Hopkinton, MA; granddaughter Lisa (Hinds) Dignan, her husband Chris Dignan and their son Lucas of Hopkinton, MA; grandson John and his wife Jennifer Ditano of Hopkinton, MA; and her brother David P Allen of Seattle, Washington and his children Jennifer and Jeff and their families. Barbara’s passing leaves a hole in these and many other hearts, although one that is filled to overflowing with the abundant, joyous memories of her full and generous life.

A memorial service is planned for Spring 2022; interment will be at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine where she will rejoin her beloved husband Jim. Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Walpole Scholarship Foundation Barbara A. Hinds Memorial. Donations can also be mailed to:

Walpole Scholarship Foundation
PO Box 58
East Walpole, MA 02032