Anita Lorah Hinkle

Anita Lorah Hinkle, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away in the comfort of her home in Merrimack, NH on Monday, October 28, leaving behind a legacy of friendship, community, good business sense, creativity, and good cooking!

Anita was born on March 14, 1938, in Philadelphia, PA. She grew up in Pottstown, PA with her parents, Richard Jacob Lorah and Virginia Pone Lorah, and her brother, Richard Jacob Lorah (Jr.). She graduated from Penn State University in 1959. Her first job out of college was as a sales director for the Hotel Bethlehem. From there, she worked in sales roles for companies including Proctor & Gamble.

She met her husband, Peyton (Pete) Hinkle, in 1962 at a New Year’s Eve party. They were married in April of 1963 and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Anita then discovered she had a skill she was unaware of and was hired as a computer programmer for the Federal Reserve Bank.

Another move brought them to Chicago where she continued working as a computer programmer. Here, both of their daughters, Virginia (‘Ginger’ Heald) and Holly (Holliday) were born. They eventually settled in Nashua, NH where Anita earned her MBA at Rivier College and became a prominent businesswoman in the Nashua community. She was the owner/publisher of TV Facts magazine from 1980 to 1992, and many merchants in town knew of Anita’s bright smile and good business sense as she sold advertising up and down Main Street. After they became “empty nesters,” she and her husband, Pete, moved to Horseshoe Pond in Merrimack, where they were active members of their community for over thirty years.

Anita was also a prolific crafts artist, sewing and creating several types of items that she often sold at school fairs or donated to local organizations, including beautifully hand-stitched quilts, potholders, and tote bags to benefit the active-duty military and veterans. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and worked hard to ensure everyone in her family was happy, healthy, and successful. She loved to be in the kitchen cooking healthy meals for her family including her grandchildren, Lorah Heald and Matthew Holliday. Anita also loved to travel and made trips to China, Egypt, and the Soviet Union.

She spent the last several years of her life at home under the relentless care of her husband and the Hospice at Home program. Anita will be remembered for her outgoing personality, big smile, and her many witticisms that kept people laughing. She will be greatly missed.

A visitation for family and friends will be at the Rivet Funeral Home on 425 DW Highway in Merrimack on Wednesday evening, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Services will be held at the First Church of Merrimack on 7 Baboosic Lake Road on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 11:00 a.m.

A reception immediately following interment will be held at the First Church of Merrimack for all family and friends.

Kindly visit rivetfuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for the family.