Cover photo for Hilma Joan Stanley's Obituary
Hilma Joan Stanley Profile Photo
1951 Hilma 2021

Hilma Joan Stanley

May 14, 1951 — May 4, 2021

Abingdon, Va. - Surrounded by her family, Hilma Joan Stanley, age 69, of Abingdon, Virginia, went to be with her heavenly Father, on May 4th, 2021, passing away peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer.

Joan, born May 14, 1951, to Hillman and Geraldine Bolinsky, in St. Paul, Virginia, immediately brought love and kindness into the world. In 1971, she met Fred Stanley, and the two were inseparable from that point on. Joan and Fred Stanley were married for over 48 years and had two daughters, Heather Nelson (Travis Cunningham), and Dr. Laura Stanley (Jennifer Smith).

Joan was an incredibly kind, loving, and selfless wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend.  She was a fiercely dedicated mom and grandmother to her daughters and grandchildren. Family came first and was above all else to Mother, a value she instilled in all those around her. She never met a stranger and made all feel welcomed by those who were graced by her presence.  Some would say: “To meet her is to like her, to know her is to love her,” and as Maya Angelou once said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Joan was predeceased by her father, Hillman Bolinsky; and sister, Kimberley Strong.

She is survived by her mother, Geraldine Bolinsky; her husband, Fred Stanley; two daughters, Heather Nelson, and Laura Stanley; two sisters, Patricia Phillips, and Tama Kelly; two grandsons, Mastin Nelson, and Nolan Stanley; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Diana and Mike Howard, and Teresa Deel. A special thank-you to our hospice caregivers for their care and compassion.

All services are private. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joan’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html).

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Joan Stanley is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276-623-2700).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hilma Joan Stanley, please visit our flower store.

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