Sally Sheik Hinckley

Sally Sheik Hinckley of Pasadena, CA, who joyfully enriched thousands of lives in addition to those of her loving family, passed peacefully from this world on November 2, 2024, less than three weeks before her 88th birthday. Her ever generous, deeply caring spirit, tireless work ethic, and gracious style will long continue to inspire all who knew her.
Born in Aberdeen, Washington on November 19, 1936, she was the first child of Claire DeLuca Sheik and Marlin Brian Sheik. Her father's success as an executive in the global heavy-construction industry led the family to move several times in Sally's early years. Thirty-three days before Pearl Harbor was attacked, Sally, her mother, and her brother Don were evacuated from Midway Island, where her father was directing construction of a deep-water port for the U.S. Army. In 1946 the family moved back to Honolulu, where Sally attended Sacred Hearts Academy and later, Punahou School, graduating in 1954. After earning an AA degree at Stephens College (Columbia, MO), Sally enrolled at USC in the fall of 1956 and joined Pi Beta Phi sorority, creating many wonderful friendships, several of which lasted the rest of her life. She also met the love of her life, William O'Brien Hinckley, who she married in 1958, shortly after graduating from USC with a business degree. Eager to start a family, Sally and Bill were blessed with four children, Cathy, Susan, Jim and Tom. Her love and dedication as a mother will forever live in their hearts.
Her brilliance as a family builder was only half the story: starting in the 1970s, she was a consistently active volunteer and/or board member of the Pasadena Crown Guild, the Nine O'Clock Players, and its parent organization, The Assistance League of Southern California. Notably, her meticulous planning, organizing, fundraising and creativity led her peers to elect her (multiple times) president or board chair of those three organizations. She also brought her talents to Huntington Memorial Hospital as a Major Gifts Officer. In this role she nurtured many donor relationships that grew into funding for crucial medical facilities at one of the LA area's largest hospitals. Retiring in 2016, Sally remained a valued strategic advisor to both the hospital and the Assistance League.
Sally is preceded in death by her husband Bill and survived by her brother, Don (Jean) Sheik and her children, Cathy (Bob) Lenz, Susan (John) Knill, Jim (Cathy) Hinckley, and Tom (Ellen) Hinckley, as well as her loving grandchildren, Evelyn Lenz, Brendan Lenz, Colleen (Ben) Ijalana; Jack (Iris) Knill, Mary Kate (Jordan) Novinger, Sarah Knill, Claire Hinckley, Anna Hinckley, Elizabeth (Jonah) Hinckley and Zach Hinckley; and her three great-grandchildren (plus one on the way!).
A funeral mass celebrating Sally's life is planned for Friday, November 15 at Holy Family Church, 1501 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Huntington Memorial Hospital or the Assistance League of Southern California.