Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Sunday

January 13, 2013

Jill Louise Hinds

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TRAVERSE CITY — Jill Louise Hinds died peacefully Jan. 6 at her home surrounded in love by family and close friends. Jill was a wife, mother, sister and precious friend.

She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Ray Paddock; daughters, Anna and Comilla; mother, Janet; brothers, Jerry (Eileen) and James (Jan); sister, Jeanne Hinds, all of Traverse City; and sister, Joni (John) Zupin, of Golden, Colo.

Jill also leaves a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends near and far. They will all miss her greatly; she was an extraordinary presence among them all.

Jill was born in St. Louis, Mo., on April 7, 1949, to James and Janet Nelson Hinds. At a young age she moved to Traverse City.

She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1967 and subsequently attained her art degree at Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids. Jill stayed in touch with her classmates over the years by serving on reunion committees and going to all of the events.

Jill's many careers included graphic designer at Village Press, visual communication instructor at Northwestern Michigan College and, to the delight of many, an artist throughout her life.

In her 25-year career at NMC she made her students and the development of their knowledge and talents her priority. For more than 20 years, Jill served as design adviser of both the student newspaper, White Pine Press, and the NMC Magazine. Both publications garnered state and national awards under her guidance. Jill wanted her students to be ready for the workplace, and she worked hard to provide them with practical experience as a large part of their education.

The great part of being a teacher was summer vacation, and Jill filled it with gardening, golf, art and travel. She and Ray loved to golf together, and she loved golfing with her girl friends in league play.

Once she retired she loved to paint in her studio or out in the countryside. She worked in all media, thriving on pushing her unlimited talents. Her talents live on in her two daughters who are attending art schools in Florida and Georgia.

Jill's love of travel took her all over the world: Japan, China, Italy, Mexico and numerous other countries and states. She enjoyed other cultures and especially their art. Jill and Ray hosted many students from Japan who have remained close family friends.

Jill inspired all who knew her as she battled cancer for over eight years. She will always be known for her joy of living and her valiant spirit. Jill's spirit, talent and life will be celebrated June 15 at her and Ray's home.

Jill's family requests that any remembrances be in the form of donations to the Visual Communications Program Fund at NMC for the Jill Hinds Art Scholarship. Donations may be sent to the NMC Foundation, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686 or online at www.nmc.edu/givetoday.

Please share your memories, stories and photos of Jill at her online guestbook/tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

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