I first met Mrs. Hinman when Dana was in my seventh grade English class.  Believe it or not, Dana was a big-eyed, quiet, curly haired little girl. I loved her at first sight! If I had taught "Knitting With Old Bones", Dana would have taken my class.  I was lucky to have her again in ninth grade Spanish two years later. By then, she was an athlete and more out-going, and I got to know her mother.  Kathy was the fun mom.  We were similar people--She and I are birthday twins and we celebrated our Norwegian heritage by telling Sven and Ollie jokes.  We both loved stickers, but she was more generous with hers than I was. Over the years, we kept in contact and discovered we both had similar laughs.  Her love for her husband was a inspiration to me. I used to tease her about not going camping because I wasn't fond of it either but I went. I'd tell her my horror stories about bugs and sleeping on rocks and she'd remind me that staying home in comfort was better. 

I loved Kathy Hinman. I loved the entire family! I comfort myself that she is with her loved ones and looking down at us, telling us not to grieve, but to by joyful with our memories.  Rest now, dear Kathy, and know you were loved.  

                                                              Lynda Card Carman Stonack