SARASOTA, FL—Janet Harrison Hinch, 82, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Born in 1941, she was the eldest daughter of William Wright Harrison and Janet Phillips Harrison of Virginia Beach.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Rea Hinch; her eldest son, Richard Rea Hinch Jr. and his wife, Karen L. DeSimone; her daughter, Katherine Hinch Greene and her husband, John M. Greene; her youngest son, Phillips Harrison Hart Hinch and his partner, Daniel C. Martin; her grandchildren, Ryan Hinch, Lindsay Hinch, J.J. Greene and Kyle Greene; her brother, William Wright Harrison Jr. and his wife, Brien C. Harrison; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Susan Ficklen Harrison.
Janet grew up in Crozet and Charlottesville. She attended St. Anne’s School and graduated from Vassar College with a bachelor’s in education in 1963. After marrying her husband Richard, Janet lived with her family in various communities, including Anniston, Ala.; Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn.; East Greenwich, R.I.; Kilmarnock; and Sarasota.
Janet was a schoolteacher for many years. Later she pursued an associate’s in computer science which propelled a 17-year career at Amica Mutual Insurance Company in Providence, R.I.
Always a gracious host, she loved to entertain her friends and family. As one of the family historians she could always recount a past story and captivate her audience. She was an avid sports fan and loved her Virginia Wahoos. At her own sports, she was also a fierce competitor. She excelled at both bridge and golf.
Janet’s magical touch on life inspired many around her. Her joy and enthusiasm infused everyone’s daily living and inspired the lives of many others. Her whimsical humor kept us all on our toes for her next response and she could always create a laugh even when life dealt a bowl of lemons.
She was devoted to her faith and an active member of her local churches, including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga; St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Greenwich; the Wicomico Parish; and St. Boniface Episcopal Church of Siesta Key, Fla.
The family wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to her extraordinary caregivers from Takecare Homehealth, Angel’s at Heart and Grand Villa of Sarasota.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5, at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. Her interment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, at the Wicomico Parish Church, 5191 Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Highway, Wicomico Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Family Promises of Sarasota (FamilyPromiseSSC.org).
