Marie Annette Hinkley (Dessert)

Hinkley, Marie Annette (Dessert), 76, of Pine Valley, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was born to the late Raymond B., Jr. and Libby (Peach) Dessert of El Centro on April 5, 1938, and was the oldest of five children. On June 6, 1959, she married Hiram Thomas (Hank) Hinkley of San Diego. She graduated from San Diego State University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Education and earned a masters in Human Behavior from National University in 1985. Marie enjoyed teaching elementary school, middle school, and adult education for many years. She also enjoyed a second career in hotel management, including several resorts in the Southern California area as well as Sunriver Resort in Bend, Oregon. In 1981, Marie founded Love’s Gift Hunger Relief Program. Established initially as a broad spectrum relief and assistance program, Love’s Gift gained prominence throughout San Diego as the prime independent sourcing agent and distributor of excess food to missions, soup kitchens, rehab centers, and others in need. Love’s Gift averaged one million pounds of kitchen ready meals per year. She was honored for her excellence in community service and leadership from 1981-1997 with the following awards: Woman of the Year, California State Legislature; Leadership Award, KGTV Channel 10 News; Ending Hunger Award, San Diego Hunger Coalition; Citizen Recognition Award, County of San Diego; and, Nice Guy of the Year Award, Nice Guys. Marie was known for her indomitable spirit and unquenchable thirst for adventure. In 1972, she traveled across Europe with her four young children. Purchasing a VW bus and camping equipment upon arrival, the adventure evolved naturally in true Marie-fashion with no itinerary. In 1974, Marie and her family moved to Oregon to a new frontier of farming. With limited farming knowledge, and following her father’s lead and direction, they enjoyed all that farming and Oregon could offer, including cattle, crops, 4H animals, dairy cow, chickens, and Oregon adventures. It was also during this time that Marie and Hank adopted their next two children, Nathan and Shannon. In 1980, Marie and Hank moved to Catalina Island to manage the 100-year-old Hermosa Hotel. She spent the rest of her life in the San Diego Area. Marie filled her life with her many friends and family and enjoyed hosting gatherings to bring all whom she loved together. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend of 40 years, Hank, her beloved son, Christopher Clare, and her brother, Timothy Dessert. She is survived by her six children and their families: Tommy (Tracey) Hinkley and daughter, Katie, of Dallas, Texas; Peter (Lisa Smith) Hinkley and daughters, Analise and Isabel, of San Diego; Annette (Dave) McKelvey and daughters, Andrea and Lauren, and son, Keith, of Richmond, Virginia; Kara (Michael) Rydman and daughter, Julia, and son, Christopher, of Benicia, California; Nathan (Laura) Hinkley and daughters, Alexis, Idallis, Haley, Ashton, and son, Alexander, of Pine Valley; and Shannon (Victor) Hinkley and son, Davin, of El Centro. She also is survived by her brothers, Raymond B. (Spike) Dessert, III (Kae), Richard Dessert, Michael Dessert (Anne), and her sister-in-law, Lucie (Timothy, dec.), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Services will be at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church of Descanso on Tuesday, February 24, 11 AM with burial following. In honor of Marie’s faith and devotion to others, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of San Diego or the San Diego Food Bank.