Mary Tinker

04/26/2007

Mary Tinker, 88, of Squire Lane, died Thursday at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington after a brief illness. She had been a resident of Fairview Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for several months. She and her husband, John W. Tinker Sr., co-owned and operated Berkshire Hills Dairy in Great Barrington. Born in Winkfield, Berkshire, England, on July 4, 1918, daughter of Joseph W. and Ann Young Bell, she attended schools there. She emigrated to the United States in 1944 aboard the Queen Elizabeth with hundreds of other war brides. When she arrived in New York City, her husband was still stationed overseas, so she was met by her husband's sister and brother-in-law, whom she had never met. She lived with them until her husband was discharged from the armed services. In her early adult life, she assisted in war efforts. Mrs. Tinker was employed as a bookkeeper by Fairview Hospital. Before that, she worked in the same capacity for M.E. Lockwood Jewelers and Ryder's Jewelry Store in Great Barrington. She enjoyed knitting. Her husband, whom she married May 20, 1944, died in May 2004. She leaves a son, John W. Tinker Jr. of Great Barrington; a daughter, Elizabeth Rockefeller of Great Barrington; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Mary Bell Tinker, who died Thursday, April 26, 2007, will be Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. with a brief half-hour of family visit before the service. Burial will be in Sheffield Center Cemetery on Berkshire School Road in Sheffield next to her husband. A brief reception will be held at Christ Church. Afterward, family and friends are invited to her daughter's house in Great Barringtom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church of Sheffield through FINNERTY & SYTEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Because Mary was very proud of her British heritage, on the Fourth of July, she flew both the Old Glory and the Union Jack, representing both of "her countries." Her most-favorite hobby was knitting, which she learned when she was 5 years old in English schools. Her entire family -- children, grandchildren and, most recently, her five great-grandchildren -- loved the sweaters that were made by "their B," a nickname that her eldest granddaughter gave her. (From that day on she had always been lovingly called "B.") Even the family pets had sweaters. Mary also leaves three grandchildren, Tracey Hopkins and her husband, Russell, of South Lee, Melissa Nimmons and her husband, Tom, of Cheshire, and Dennis Tinker of Pittsfield; and five great-grandchildren, Makayla and Garrett Hopkins, and Michael, Christopher and Sarah Nimmons. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevensfuneralhome.com.

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