Maria Mercedes Hinds passed away on May 8 in her Hollister
residence at the age of 63. Mrs. Hinds was a native of Palo Alto
and had lived in Sunnyvale from 1965 until 1987 at which time she
and her husband, Neal M. Hinds who passed away in September 2003,
moved to San Benito to make Hollister their home.
Maria Mercedes Hinds passed away on May 8 in her Hollister residence at the age of 63. Mrs. Hinds was a native of Palo Alto and had lived in Sunnyvale from 1965 until 1987 at which time she and her husband, Neal M. Hinds who passed away in September 2003, moved to San Benito to make Hollister their home.
Maria attended the University of the Pacific majoring in history. Upon finishing college she became a homemaker as well as a medical assistant for doctors’ offices in Sunnyvale.
“Maria’s main interests were reading and traveling – she and her late husband were able to travel around the world twice. You name it, she has been there,” her family said.
Maria was recognized for, as well as proud of, her 32 active years of membership in Alcoholics Anonymous.
“Maria was known for her pioneering spirit as a woman and her keen sense of humor which enabled her to help others and encourage them to take an active part in AA and keep coming back,” her family said.
“Maria had the capability of having people from all walks of life gravitate to her, consequently she developed close and lasting friendships which she cherished so much,” her children said.
Besides her late husband Neal, her spouse of eighteen years, Maria is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Laura Hamilton and Tom Kraiker of San Jose; and her son Stephen A. Hamilton and his spouse Nora I. Hamilton of Lake Almanor; grandchildren Sarah Nicole Ball, John Alexander Ball, and Aidan Kraiker all of San Jose; sister-in-law Ellen Bocci of San Mateo; nephew Joseph L. Bocci, III; and niece Lisa Riley. Her only brother Joseph L. Bocci preceded her in death.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Maria’s life at 11am on Wednesday, May 11 at the chapel of the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister. Private interment will be Thursday at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma.
The family would prefer donations to the Hospice of The Central Coast as in appreciation for the wonderful care they provided to Maria c/o the mortuary chapel.
