Joan Katherine Hinz

Joan Katherine Hinz

March 3, 1934 - May 13, 2021

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Joan Katherine Hinz, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the age of 87. Joan was the daughter of Adolph and Loretta Kownacki and sister of Donald Kownacki. Joan was born in Erie, Pa on March 3, 1934. She married the love of her life, George Hinz, on July 18, 1959 and was a resident of Arizona for 43 years.

Joan will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, who together with her husband George, raised five children. Married for nearly 62 years, Joan selflessly raised her young children while moving from Erie, PA to the states of New York, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio over the course of several years, before settling in Arizona. Many car rides in the family station wagon to see sites such as Niagara Falls, Hershey PA, Washington, DC, and relatives in Erie created wonderful memories for the Hinz family. Before marriage, Joan first worked at American Sterilizer in Erie. Although Joan spent many years raising her children, she also worked at the Broadway Department store at Fiesta Mall where she made many wonderful friendships. Joan also provided loving support to all of her children and supported each one to find their individual interests and successful careers. Joan was a long-time parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Tempe, and enjoyed regularly attending mass. She also loved puzzles and passed that love along to all of her children and grandkids.

Joan is survived by husband of 62 years, George Hinz, as well as her children Mary Rowe, Gilbert Hinz, Jeffrey Hinz, David Hinz and Peter Hinz and grandchildren Taylor Rowe, Julien Hinz, Mia Hinz, Zachary Hinz, Ava Hinz, Max Kenney, Jake Hinz and Ava Kenney.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Hospice of the Valley for the wonderful care they provided to Joan in her final days. Services will be held for Joan on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Resurrection Church. Friends, neighbors and acquaintances are welcome.

Donations in Joan's name may be made to Hospice of the Valley, St. Vincent de Paul or Resurrection Church.