Sylvia Marie Leahy Hinsley

Sylvia Marie Leahy Hinsley, formerly of Morristown, Tennessee, died on November 4, 2022 at her home in Asheville, North Carolina. She was born September 8, 1946 in Knoxville, Tennessee to Dennis Bernard Leahy and Marie Powers Leahy and was a descendant of John Leahy, an Irish immigrant, who’s extended family played a large role in Knoxville’s Irish Catholic community, and was active in local post-Civil War politics.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Morristown Attorney Kelley Hinsley, her two daughters, Libby Hinsley and Amy Hinsley, all of Asheville and three grand grandchildren, Aiden Lurie, Clementine Lucas-Hinsley and Marigold Lucas-Hinsley. She is also survived by sister, Rosemary Workman, nephew Pete Waldren, Melody McKinney and Michelle Smith.

At age of 13 her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee and they were active in Christ The King parish and attended St. Bernard Academy. She demonstrated outstanding scholarship and citizenship, graduating in 1964. She was selected as a Fr. Ryan high school cheerleader and remained friends throughout her life with a great many of her high school classmates.

After high school she was admitted into Knoxville’s St. Mary’s Hospital Registered Nurses Training program and became a Registered Nurse in 1967. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital as a serious healthcare provider when many young women her age were rushing for a sorority membership. In 1968, while pursuing a degree at the University of Tennessee, she reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date with a fellow student and met her future husband on Halloween, and they were married in August 1969 after his graduation.

As newlyweds they moved to the campus of The Baylor School in Chattanooga where her husband had a teaching job. She worked at Erlanger Hospital while there and they enjoyed a pivotal year out of which much of their future was set in motion. After military service her husband was admitted to the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1971 in Knoxville and while he attended law school she supported his efforts by working at the UT Hospital in the Coronary Care unit. Her professional commitment to health and education continued all her life.

After law school they moved to Morristown, Tennessee with new baby in 1973 where Kelley Hinsley began his 48 years of the practice of law. She worked in various positions in both Doctors Hospital and Morristown Hamblen Hospital, as well as positions outside the hospital until her retirement. In addition to nursing and caring for two daughters Sylvia embraced her community by becoming involved in Junior Reading Circle, charitable organizations, and later PEO. She volunteered her medical skills at ALPS Adult Daycare Center and Serenity House, a hospice comfort home. She was a member of the Morristown Planning Commission and Chairman of the City’s Tree Board and gave many hours to the programs to beautify the city.

She was an advocate of art in school, enjoyed exploring crafts of various types, reading and was a marvelous dancer and lover of music. She loved traveling and supporting her daughter’s matches and travels as a Junior Tennis player.

After retirement she became involved in a lady’s hiking group and hiked many of the trails in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. She very much enjoyed her time on the trails with her hiking friends. The hardy exercise gave her additional years of health by strengthening her heart.

Her wit, intellect and compassion endeared her to all who knew her. To many she was a source of sound encouragement, mild redress always with a compassionate and forgiving spirit. She lived a grateful life of faith and trust in the simplicity of the Gospel. Throughout her final illness she always manifested a sweet loving spirit and demeanor.

She always conducted herself with personal integrity and a deep sense of personal responsibility.
The family wishes to thank the compassionate sitters who were angels during her last two weeks, CarePartners Hospice and Dr. Andrew Beardsley with Messino Cancer Center who bought her more time, and all our prayerful friends.

A celebration of life will be held in Morristown at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Morristown, Tennessee with receiving of friends at 10:00 and service at 11:00 on Saturday November 12, 2022. Her ashes will be returned to the beautiful ancient mountains and streams of this region which she loved so much.

Please make donations in lieu of flowers to Serenity House, Friends of Hospice of the Lakeway Area, Morristown or your favorite charity.