Achsah E. Hinckley.

CHARLTON After a six and a half-month battle with pancreatic cancer, Achsah Elizabeth Hinckley, a resident at Overlook in Charlton, died at home on March 21st.

She is survived by her husband of 15 years, John H. Campbell, also a resident at Overlook; her four children: Charles John Hinckley, of Hardwick; Stephen Mark Hinckley, of Lawrence, L.I., N.Y.; James Christopher Hinckley, of Spencer; and Lisa Carman Drake, of Charlottesville, VA; daughter-in-law Lou Anna, wife of Christopher; and seven grandchildren: Rebecca A. Kinn, Katharine E. Hinckley, and Charles T. Hinckley, children of Charles John Hinckley and his wife, Pam; B. Tyler and C. Todd Hinckley, sons of Stephen Mark Hinckley and his wife, Tibby; and Carman G. Drake and Jay M. Drake, children of Lisa and her husband, Willie Drake. She was predeceased by her parents and her first husband, Dr. Charles Theodore Hinckley; two brothers: Maj. John E Shedaker Jr. USMC, and ADC (ret) Stanley S. Shedaker USN, and two sisters: Carolyn E. Shedaker and Barbara Morris.

Achsah was born in 1926 in Burlington, NJ to John Earl and Ruth Carman Shedaker. After graduation from high school in that historic city, she attended Pembroke College at Brown University for two years and then transferred to Pennsylvania State College of Optometry, from which she graduated in 1949. She married Charles Theodore Hinckley in June of 1950 and they came to Ware, where Ted succeeded Dr. Thomas Dorsey in his practice of Optometry. In 1957 Ted and Achsah moved to Hardwick. After earning her Master's Degree in Education at Worcester State College, Achsah taught for several years in the public schools of Hubbardston and Hardwick before concluding her teaching career with 19 years at The Bancroft School in Worcester. She completed her working career as a rural mail carrier for the US Mail Service. Ted died in 1981, and in 1994 Achsah married Jack Campbell, who was widowed in 1992. In October, 2008, Achsah and Jack moved to Overlook.

Achsah was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Ware for over 58 years. At Trinity she served on the Vestry and took a leading role in the Parish Altar Guild, which she headed for many years. Also, for many years she was President of the Altar Guild of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Additionally, she served as Treasurer of Province One Altar Guild and as a Director of the National Altar Guild, in which capacity she attended several national conferences. Her specialty was flower arranging and she was a great lover of flowers and their display for most of her life. She also was a member for many years and served as president of the Social Science Club of Ware.

Achsah was a great lover of life. An ardent skier, her protestations that "winter goes on forever" were met with some disbelief. She was a keen contract bridge devotee, and her travels, both domestic and foreign, were extensive. She was a skilled seamstress and also loved knitting and needlepoint. Among her delights, Achsah cherished camping with her children and grandchildren and spending time on the beach. A gracious hostess, she loved entertaining her family and a wide circle of friends in her home.

Charbonneau Funeral Home, Ware, is handling the arrangements. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in the Trinitarian Congregational Church (the Stone Church) in Gilbertville, MA. on May 9th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity Church, Ware, Holy Trinity Church, Southbridge or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

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