Edwin Everett Hinshaw

Edwin Everett Hinshaw passed away peacefully at age 91 November 27, 2025 at Schooner Memory Care in Auburn Maine. He was born August 16, 1934 in Winchester, Indiana, just across the street from where he grew up as eldest of three boys to Everett and Clara Cook Hinshaw. In elementary school he was mostly ornery, until grade six when he went to work delivering the Palladium Item newspaper which he did for six years quitting upon graduating. He was active with family at Jericho Friends Meeting, always thinking of himself as a "Jericho boy". He played football under Coach Vincent Gunther, was elected class president three of the four years and much to his surprise received the American Legion Scholarship and Leadership Award and the School's Best All Round Student Award at graduation.

Earlham College opened the world to him, where he met his wife, Dorothy Strattan, a life long partner and best friend for 70 years, and graduated with a degree in Mathematics and a license to teach. Ed and Dorothy were youth ministers at West Richmond Friends Meeting while in college. Following college he was the minister at Williamsburg Friends Meeting for a year then he and Dorothy received the Friends World Committee for Consultation's Quaker Leadership Grant which enabled them to attend Woodbrooke College in Birmingham, England prior to going to Kenya, East Africa where he taught math and science at Kaimosi Teacher Training College, and served as Youth Leadership Development Secretary for East Africa Yearly Meeting.

Returning to the States in 1962 with four children: Lindley born in Richmond, Indiana, Martha born in England, Jenny and Joel born in Kenya, Ed attended Boston University School of Theology and Boston University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Sacred Theology and a Master's Degree in Religious Education and Human Relations. He served as pastor of Westport Friends Meeting, Massachusetts and became the first person to be employed by a Yearly Meeting as New England Yearly Meeting's Youth and Education Secretary. He also directed Friends China Camp in Maine for several summers. In 1972 the family moved to Maine where Ed served as Chaplain at University of Maine, Orono and Director of Maine Christian Association Center. Moving to Iowa for a few years he taught Educational Psychology and Human Relations at William Penn College. Ed and his family moved to Maryland where he served as Headmaster of Sandy Spring Friends School, Maryland for 12 years. Over the years Ed served as a delegate to Friends United Meeting, Friends General Conference, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Earlham School of Religion Board of Advisors, and New England Yearly Meeting.

Dorothy and Ed have lived in Maine since retirement, calling themselves "local Friends". During their time in Maine they were active skiers and volunteer instructors for over 20 years with Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation, treasurer of Sunday River Christian Ministry, and served on Sumner Town Committees. Ed also was an "intense" genealogist, loved working outdoors and re-siding the barn; climbing to the peak at age 75.

Ed was a beloved and active member of Durham Friends Meeting in Maine. His favorite Bible passages were Micah 6:8, Amos 5:24 and Matthew 5. He believed youth and all persons should be examples of good will and awe; each person being their own beatitude.

Ed is survived by his wife, Dorothy; brothers, Merril Hinshaw (Janis) from French Lick Indiana, Ronald Hinshaw (Linda) from Tipton Indiana; children, Lindley Hinshaw (Diana) from Basin Wyoming, Martha Hinshaw Sheldon from Northern Ireland, Jenny Hinshaw (Daniel Rhinehart) from Rockville Maryland, Joel Hinshaw (Rachel Rousseau) from Freeport Maine; grandchildren Kyle Hinshaw (Caitlyn) from Sheridan Wyoming, Chris Sheldon from Inverness Scotland, Jess Sheldon from Coleraine Northern Ireland, Sean Rhinehart (Grace Montgomery) from Brooklyn New York, Ryan Petherbridge from Portland Maine, Owen Petherbridge from Breckenridge Colorado; great grandchildren Atley, Emerie, and Saylor Hinshaw from Sheridan Wyoming. He is predeceased by his son-in-law Robert Sheldon.

A memorial service will be held at Durham Friends Meeting January 10 at 11:00 am - 532 Quaker Meeting House Road, Durham. Another service will be held at Jericho Friends Meeting in Winchester Indiana on April 18, 2026 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers send contributions to Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation. maineadaptive.org/ways-to-give/