Joan Hinds

The Celebration of Life Service for Joan Hinds will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM. This service will be recorded and streamed live. If the event is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire event will be uploaded and available to view later in the day. Please copy and paste the link to share, or simply click on the link to view the event. https://vimeo.com/event/5195150 Joan Hinds was born on the 15th of June, 1938, to Veronica Collymore and Lambert Bland. Joan’s upbringing involved close bonds with her family members, including her loving parents, grandparents, Alice and Joseph Collymore, her brother, Clement Burnett, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Her childhood memories also revolved around spending time with her grandparents. She often related stories of how her grandparents’ home was frequently the hub of activity for all of the aunts, uncles and cousins, especially during the holidays. Joan’s early years were also shaped by her experiences at Primary School in Guyana, where she received a rich educational foundation, which was further extended to her Secondary School years at Central High School, also in Georgetown, Guyana. During these times, she exhibited grace and humility as she also fostered connections through church organizations or church groups and through social activities within her community of friends. She valued genuine friendships and community involvement. Joan was extremely ambitious, generous and resourceful. Somewhere along the line, she fell in love with playing the piano. She was excellent at it! Joan became a trainee teacher at the tender age of 18. It was during this time that she met, and fell in love with George Sancho Hinds. They were subsequently married and raised three children – Orin, Alexa and Jeremy. Joan adored her family while co-parenting three children who were both adorable and challenging, each in their own way. She attended the Teachers Training College and subsequently graduated from the University of Guyana with a degree in Education. She loved teaching – all subjects, including music, and would offer singing and piano lessons after school. Joan was a pioneer: she was pivotal in the planning and opening of the first school at ‘Long Creek’, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway in Guyana. She also became its first Head Teacher (Principal). The official opening of the school made national headlines in Guyana, and was attended by dignitaries from the Ministry of Education. Joan’s experiences extended to a stint in the Guyana National Service, where she demonstrated her patriotism and zeal for the development of hinterland areas and for farming. Although this engagement meant she had to be deployed away from home, she always made sure that everyone at home was taken care of. She adored her mother, her children and any other family member who was spending time at our home. In 1985, Joan finally retired and migrated to the United States of America where she continued to be an exceptional parent and teacher. Oh yes!! Her love for teaching did not end when she left Guyana. She initially volunteered and then became a paid employee in the Daycare Center that her granddaughter was attending. By this time, she continued to love and adore her adult children, grandchildren, and in the final years of her life, she poured her love onto her great-grandchildren. All the children and students she came into contact with loved her. She was gentle, but was a disciplinarian when the need arose. She finally retired after several years with the Dekalb County School System in Georgia. Retirement allowed her to spend more time with her family. Her grandchildren – Drew, Ariston, Anioma, Nneka, Nnamdi, Donavan, Precious, Makeba and Alajahwun all loved her. So did the great-grandchildren who came along subsequently. Family get-togethers, mostly during festive times, were always a demonstration of love. Many of these activities also included close friends who came to know and love Joan as well. During Joan’s latter years, she also enjoyed the love, care and compassion of many others – Asa and Ashley in Warner Robins, Georgia; and in Decatur, Georgia – The Harrys, Ingrid, June, Kim, Arthur, Swanna, Veronica, and Beverly, to name a few. Joan and her family were/are eternally grateful to them. Joan departed her earthly existence on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She now basks in the loving arms of the Lord. As we bid farewell to our Mom, Joan, Joanie, Ms. Joanie – Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, Neighbor, or whatever she was to you, we would like to extend our gratitude to all of the countless persons who extended their kindness to her throughout the years. You have all been flowers in this wonderful, beautiful garden of Joan Hinds’ life. And may your memories of her be that of peace and love. Rest in peace, Joan --- until we meet again!

Tributes

Joan Hinds

June 15, 1938 - June 7, 2025