Mary Antoinette (Bianchi) Hinsberger, 98, born on August 23, 1916, in Kokomo, Indiana, passed away April 17, 2015 in Covina, Californa. Mary, or grandma Mary as she was lovingly known by her 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, was very loved and cherished. She was the second oldest of seven children, so when her mother became ill when Mary was in her early teens, and eventually passed away when Mary was 17, Mary became the defacto mother to her five younger siblings. Grandma Mary married Bob Hinsberger in her early twenties and had a daughter, Margaret Ann (Peggy), and son, Robert (Bob), and eventually moved to Chicago. Her family additionally grew when her father passed away and her youngest sister (Louise) came to live with Mary at age 9. Now Mary was the mother of three children. Mary and her husband, Bob, were entrepreneurs, and owned a grocery store, vending route, car wash, and rental property. Mary's younger sister, Lydia, had a wanderlust, and moved to Los Angeles during the second world war. As a result four of the sisters moved to Southern California. Mary, her husband, and son all moved to Southern California in the late 1950's, and in the early 60's her daughter Peggy and her family followed. Grandma Mary was known as a wonderful cook, especially by her grandsons. However, when her husband passed away in the early 1970's, Mary became one of the earliest health food enthusiasts (before health food tasted good), to the perplexity of her grandsons. Additionally, after her husband passed away, Mary took up yoga, walking with a vengeance, and dancing (and could that girl dance). This rapid move towards a healthier lifestyle is the key to Mary's long and healthy life. In fact the day before she had the first of two strokes that eventually lead to Mary's passing, she when on a one mile walk. It amazed her friends and family that before breaking her first hip at 93, she walked five miles per day (fast), then after breaking her first hip she walked 2-3 miles per day (fast), and still danced one to two times per week, and then after breaking her second hip at 96 she could still walk 1 to 2 miles per day and dance occasionally. Mary was so healthy into he late nineties, that she still drove her car until she was 95 or 96. Mary grew up a Catholic, and stayed a strong Catholic throughout her life, and for many years well into her 90's she served at the local parish. Mary would always say "I am praying to the good Lord for you." I, being the oldest grandchild, was truly blessed to have Grandma Mary as my grandmother; and all of us that were her family and friends have lost an angel in our lives. We will all miss her greatly, she was truly a great and wonderful woman. We love you Grandma.
