Jane B. Hinckley

WESTFORD - Jane Hinckley, beloved mother, passed away peacefully last Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Westford. She was 87.Born in Brockton with her twin sister Joan to Lowell R. Buckner and Helena Hobart Buckner, Jane was raised in Braintree. She attended Thayer Academy and studied at Bethany College in West Virginia until her marriage to Walter Della Chiesa in 1948 following his graduation from USMA West Point. Walter began U.S.A.F. primary flight training in Texas and Jane went with him as he entered advanced training in Arizona. Upon graduation, Walter was assigned to a squadron in Okinawa. The island was still considered a war zone and family members were not allowed to accompany service members. Jane returned to Braintree for the duration of Walter's assignment. However, Walter was killed on an early mission to Korea in 1951.Following Walter's death, his flight leader and close friend corresponded regularly with Jane and, following his tour of duty, returned to his hometown of Newton, Ma. and visited Jane often. Within a year, Jane and Captain Ralph E. Hinckley were married. They had two children Conrad and Tracey and spent over a decade assigned to Air Force bases in the Far East and the southern U.S.Summer 1967 saw the family's move to Westford to join Ralph who had retired from the Air Force and assumed the position of Executive Director of the Mass. Arthritis Foundation in Boston.Soon after the move, Jane acted upon her long-standing love of art and started her own business, Pottery in Stoneware, in Westford. The business was successful and Jane won numerous awards for her work. More importantly to Jane, she regularly received commissions for her work from private and business customers.Jane also dedicated a significant amount of time to service on the Westford Historical Commission.Soon after the new millennium, Jane's daughter, Tracey passed away following the birth of her fourth child. Ralph passed away in 2007 and soon after, Jane began to suffer from dementia. She resided at home with her son until 2014 when she was injured in a fall and moved to an assisted-living facility for round the clock care. Jane continued her art work until a month prior to her passing.ARRANGEMENTS - Relatives and friends may call at the J. A. HEALY SONS FUNERAL HOME, 57 N. Main St., WESTFORD, on Thursday, March 31, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Friday morning, April 1, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 10 Church St., Westford. Interment in Pine Grove Cemetery, Westford. To share your thoughts and memories of Jane, please click the sign guestbook link.