Avid novel reader, movie goer, and flower grower, Margaret C Hinkley, 88 years young, died peacefully after a brief illness, in Florida, on May 7th, 2022. Although she wintered in Florida for many years, she despised the term “snowbird”, and her permanent residence will always be Springville Township, Meshoppen, Pennsylvania.

Born at home in Dunmore, on September 20th, 1933, she was the youngest of five children to the late Charles and Kathleen (Harkins) Spathelf. She is preceded in death by her brothers: Charles, John, and Christian; and her sister, Kathleen Spathlef Gorloski, resides in Lancaster.

Seconds after birth, Margaret was accidently dispensed down the family’s laundry chute where she was mistaken for a bundle of laundry. She always laughed and said it was the first of many of life’s rides! Margaret graduated with the 1950 class of Dunmore High School, at the age of 16, with high honors. She was active in chorus, the glee club, and enjoyed dancing. Growing up, she enjoyed the Dunmore Candy Kitchen and going to the movies on Wyoming Ave. She and her sister walked to the movies every Sunday after attending Church services at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Her first job was in a cigar factory – hand-rolling cigars. Upon graduation, she took a position as a typist at New York Life Insurance in downtown Scranton. Margaret took many years off to raise her family but was a “ding dong” lady for many years… no not the cupcake. She sold Avon door to door. She later returned to full time work. She was the administrative assistant for the Soil Conservation and Natural Resources for Susquehanna County, and she retired from the county in 1995. She was also active in her community where she served in the Springville Ladies Fire Auxiliary, played the Easter Bunny for many Easter Egg Hunts, and attended the Springville United Methodist Church. In addition, she was part of the Springville Book Club and a Coach for Springville Girl’s Softball team.

Margaret married the late Raymond L. Hinkley in 1952 and their 24-year union produced 7 children. Their marriage expired in 1974. She often joked that it didn’t come with a life time warranty or a 100% satisfaction guarantee. She is proceeded in death by her sons: Mark J. and Raymond J. Hinkley, by her daughters: Laurie A. Hunsinger (Billy Ray) of Elk Lake and Patricia A Hinkley. As well as her granddaughter, Jennifer L Baker, and great granddaughter, Hannah Hunsinger.

She is survived by three daughters: Christine M Phillips, (James) Newark Valley, NY, Linda L Brhel (Jay) Schenectady, NY, and Kathleen Hinkley-Besaw (Kevin) Dalton, PA. 13 Grandchildren, Sarah A Hinkley Frank, Dillon Hinkley, Jamie Hoffmier, Christy, James, Laura, Jonathan, and Travis Phillips. Mark Hunsinger and Melissa Hunsinger Sherman, Joshua Baker, Jason and Tegan Wisnosky. 19 Great GrandChildren- Gracy and Jeffrey Frank, Trevor, Hunter, Cassidy Hoffmier, Sadie and Clayton Hollenbeck, James, Monica, Calvin and Khalid Phillips, Elizabeth, McKenzie and Jonathon (LJ) Phillips, Samantha and John Hunsinger, Dawson Sherman, and Cali and Ava Wisnosky.

Henry Flower was Margaret’s loving companion of more than 34 years. They spent many happy times traveling to and from Florida, enjoying flea markets, and social events at their community clubhouse. They owned and operated Flower’s Greenhouse in Lymanville for many years. Henry was always by her side and was compassionate during her last days. Her extended family with Henry includes: Sandy Flower, Bradenton, FL, Amber, Clayton and Abigail, Thomas and Debbie Flower of Meshoppen, Bradly and Filipa Flower, of Florida, Mark and Christine Pesotine, Meshoppen PA, and Dustin and Sarah Goff of Forty Fort, PA.

Margaret’s hobbies in her later life included gardening and shopping for her favorite items: shoes, handbags and jewelry. She loved to read and read up to three novels a week. She had an extensive library of books, organized by author, and included the date and place of purchase or who gifted her the book. If she wasn’t reading, you could find her at the Dietrich Theater catching a film with her best friend of fifty years, Terry Fitting, of Tunkhannock. Peg was a second Mom to Terry’s three wonderful sons: Patrick of Dubai, Robert of Wyalusing, and Matthew of Meshoppen.

Whether you knew Margaret as Peggy, Peg, Maggie, Mother, Sister, Friend, Aunt, Gram, Grandma, or even “Grape”, she will be missed by many. Her legacy is the strength she passed on to her family. She would want you to remember to be strong. Be courageous. No regrets – and always forgive yourself!

Funeral services will be held Monday May 16th at 10am from the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home 123 W. Tioga St. Tunkhannock with Ernie King officiating. A viewing will be held at the funeral home Sunday May 15th from 5-7pm. Interment will be at the Hinkley Family Farm Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolence or directions visit www.aplitwinfuneralhomes.com