It is with devastated hearts and great sadness that the family of Meghan Rose Hinger announces her sudden passing on January 15, 2025, in Charlottesville, VA. It feels as if the world has lost some of its light without this beautiful and caring daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.
Meghan was born November 23, 1985, in Colorado Springs, CO to Loretta (Swartz) and Robert Hinger. She was preceded in death by her mother Loretta, maternal grandparents Gerald and Margarete Swartz, and paternal grandmother Elizabeth Hinger.
Her adoring father, Robert and her beloved sisters Sarah Ann (Jordan) Hinger of Brooklyn, NY and Kathleen Marie Hinger of Williamsburg, VA will remember her forever. She is also survived by her cousin Mary Catherine (Jim) Spruill of Pittsburgh, PA and their children Sean and Katie. Also surviving are her paternal grandfather Joseph Hinger of Oaklyn, NJ, Uncle Jerry (Pat) Swartz of Williamstown, NJ, Uncle Don (Karen) Hinger of Cherry Hill, NJ, Aunt Catherine (Lee) Adams of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Aunt Dianne (Chris) Geissler of Haddon Heights, NJ. As well as numerous cousins – Nick (Andrew) Hinger, Melissa Hinger, Leah (Ray) Nelan, Meryl Geissler, Daniel Gessler, and their children (Benjamin, Samual, and Zaydin). Along with a cadre of friends from throughout her life, most especially her best friend, Christin Child.
Meghan is a 2004 graduate of Tabb High School, Yorktown, VA where she excelled in field hockey and being a social butterfly. Her goal was to be a nurse, which took her to Lynchburg College where she could start on her nursing program as a freshman and play field hockey. After graduating with her RN, BSN she got hired at UVA Medical Center in the Emergency Department in 2008. She excelled at emergency care where she was recognized for her patient care and satisfaction. In 2013 she became one of the youngest Nurse Managers to hold that position at UVA. She was instrumental in designing the new Emergency Department which opened in 2018.
In 2016 Meghan joined the Charlottesville Free Clinic (CFC), which is a volunteer-driven clinic providing free high-quality healthcare to those who have no insurance or access to care. Meghan ran the medical operations and has advanced the clinic in so many ways. The Board of Directors were so impressed with her skills they promoted her to Co-CEO in 2023. Meghan has helped the Clinic reach new heights in terms of patient care and satisfaction. The CFC has outperformed numerous national benchmarks in multiple categories. In 2020 when the Clinic’s lease was up, Meghan oversaw site selection and design of a whole new Clinic so they can treat and see more medical and dental patients.
Nursing was not just a profession but a life-long passion that she put her entire being into. The many patients she touched in her career could not but help to feel her compassion and empathy. Meghan was respected by all her peers and senior leadership and they recognized her as a Healthcare Champion throughout Virginia when she was awarded the Virginia Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Trailblazer award.
Meghan’s zest for life could not be denied. She loved being active and enjoyed the outdoors, from hikes in the Shenandoah’s to excursions with friends and family to National Parks. She was never too busy to find time to enjoy college basketball (both men’s and women’s) and cheer for her beloved Hoos … she was a season ticket holder and frequent traveler to tournaments and away games. Quality time with family and friends was always a priority, and she couldn’t wait to play cards (Hand & Foot), sometimes into the middle of the night. Puzzles and board games spilled from her living room cabinet and exercise equipment always presented an obstacle course in her condo. She loved to travel. Awesome vacations with family and friends to Hawaii, Italy, and more brought joyful moments and abundant memories.
She took after her beloved mother in almost all things (except cooking). Upon Loretta’s passing, she took over as the glue that held our family together and constantly thought of others and kept connections going. There was nothing she would not do for her friends and loved ones. If you knew Meghan, you knew her friends and family. She was always so proud to share stories about those she loved. She loved being an aunt to Katie and Sean and all her friends’ children. While Meghan was very active one of her most joyful times was just sitting on the couch with a good cup of coffee… just a little respite before she was up and at ’em again.
Our dear Meghan always had such a beautiful smile which was infectious and lit up every room she entered. Her favorite saying—from her mother’s favorite poet, Kahlil Gibran— is a lasting tribute to her and all who knew her: “To live in the hearts of others is not to die.”
The family will hold a visitation on January 22nd from 6-8 pm at Nelsen Funeral Home and Mass of Christian Burial on January 23rd at 11 am at St. Bede followed by and interment at Williamsburg Memorial Gardens, all in Williamsburg, VA.
A celebration of her beautiful life will be held in Charlottesville, VA, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charlottesville Free Clinic, 901 Preston Avenue, Suite 300, Charlottesville VA 22903.
John 6:68 “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
