Beatrice H. Hinkley
Beatrice Hinman Hinkley, age 91, of Roxbury, NY, passed away on January 20, 2025, peacefully at home.
Bea was born in Oneonta in 1933 and grew up on a dairy farm in Middlefield, near Cooperstown. Her parents, Carlton and Mary Hinman, both enjoyed music and filled the home with that love. It was their influence and encouragement that inspired her to lead a life that overflowed with music. By the age of 12, she could already read music and play the trumpet — but that was just the beginning. She played trumpet during services at the Middlefield Baptist Church as a young girl and played in various groups throughout high school and college.
After graduating from Cooperstown Central School, Bea attended Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor's degree in music education in 1954. She continued her studies in music education over many consecutive summers at Syracuse and earned a master's degree.
In 1959, Bea married Sanford Hinkley, and they raised five daughters. Bea and Sanford were married for 39 years before Sanford passed away, and they enjoyed skiing, camping, and spending time with their many grandchildren.
When Bea began working at Roxbury Central, she also became the director of the school's marching band, which at its peak in the 1960s and '70s, had close to 50 members. She inspired numerous students with her love of music and always said one of her greatest joys was hearing from former students. In 1978, she became the choir director at the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church, and she held the position until 2020. During her tenure at the church, she created the Christmas Cantata and Roxbury Brass; both groups brought together musicians from the church choir and community. She was also a longtime member of the Community Chorale of the Catskills.
Bea is survived by daughters Sonya Hinkley, Yvonne (Steve) Keator, Lynette (Anthony) Liberatore, and Tracy Hinkley; grandchildren Michael (Amy) Frevert, Leslie Frevert, Meghan (Ryan) Cole, Bryan (Morgan) Keator, Allen (Rieley) Keator, Jacob (Stephanie) Liberatore, Sydney (David) Hosch, Brittany (Cameron) Lake, Garret (Emily) Peters, and Taylor (Abraham) Morales; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Sanford; daughter Linda Hightower; great-grandson Nicholas Frevert; parents, Carlton and Mary Hinman; and brothers Harold and Donald.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church.
Calling hours will be held Friday, January 24, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Burial will be private at a later date.