Norma Jean HINKS-FLEET

Norma Jean Hinks-Fleet, formerly Norma Jean Farrell, was born in Norwich over 96 years ago. She spent the majority of her life in and around the same town, except for her final three years, which she spent in Elora and Almonte, near her sons. Jean started as a city girl but eventually became a farm-wife and homemaker. She had a keen sense of style and often made her own clothes. After her first husband, Robert Hinks, passed away in 1982, Jean took on the responsibility of managing the farm. It was during this time that she developed a deep interest in birding and photography, which led her and her late daughter Kathy on birding expeditions across Canada and the USA for over 30 years. Jean was an active member of Norwich Baptist Church throughout her life, serving as the president of the Mission Circle and as a Deacon. She outlived all her siblings: Erma Lemon, Marjorie Pritchard, Glen, Lloyd, Ken, and Marion Carroll. Her second husband, Clifford Fleet, also predeceased her. Jean is survived by her sons Tom (Diane Smiley) and David (Elizabeth Veninga) Hinks, as well as six grandsons and twelve great-grandchildren.