Arlene Porter Hinich

Our beloved mom, grandma and friend passed away on May 24, 2025, from complications of multiple myeloma, which she had been living with for eight years. We were grateful she was able to be at home with her family until the time of her passing. We are heartbroken and struggling to envision our life ahead without her.

Arlene was born on August 7, 1942, in Ogden, UT to Clyde Orlando Porter and Veda Fletcher Porter. She was the third of four children. While growing up in Ogden she made many life-long friends. She was the hardest of workers even from a young age.

After graduating from Ogden High and then Weber State University, she worked at Hill Air Force Base as a computer programmer, when computers were just in their infancy. She decided that she would like to work for IBM and interviewed in Salt Lake City where she hoped to work. There was no job available in Salt Lake, but she was asked to fill a sales position in Los Angeles. She reluctantly accepted and moved to Los Angeles in 1969. She loved her time at IBM and described it as very challenging but exhilarating and fun.

She later described this choice, scary as it was, as life-altering; it changed the course of her life and opened many horizons. She described her many years in L.A. as a period with no regrets. The most valuable part was the incredible friends that she made. Just recently, she described her early days in L.A. as halcyon; “they were just light-filled, fun days, imbued with joy.” This feeling of lightness, freedom and joy continued to inhabit visits to Los Angeles over the course of her life. It was in Los Angeles that she met, fell in love with and married Joseph Hinich, Jr. They raised their family there until 1985.

At this time, she returned to Salt Lake City. She worked as a secretary in the Granite School District, which allowed her to be with her children before and after school and during summertime. She worked in this capacity until she was 75 years old. Once again, she made many important friends in these jobs, whom she continued to admire and enjoy until her last days.

As a mother, she was the epitome of selflessness and ingenuity. She worked so hard to make sure we had everything we needed, especially love and support. As children, all of our friends loved our mom. I believe they felt her love for them.

As a perfectionistic child with no artistic talent, I appreciated her ingenuity so many times. Do you need to draw a self-portrait? No problem! Mom was renting a projector so I could trace my face shape. No one said a word when my elementary teacher thought it was so “realistic.” She made things happen.

She was also fun! She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always up for adventure. She loved to travel, cook, garden, read, bargain-shop and gamble, just a little bit. She loved her granddaughters more than anything. We treasure all of these laughter-filled memories.

She is survived by her children Jonathan and Erin Hinich, and her four granddaughters, Nora and Kate Hinich and Jane and Ruth Wimer. She is also survived by her brothers Don and Gerald Porter, sisters-in-law Maureen and Dale Porter and Diane Sonzini, and by many nephews, nieces and cousins whom she loved. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, parents-in-law, sister, brothers-in-law, beloved son, Stephen and many dear friends.

Our mother did not have the easiest life. There was grief and hardship, but she always eventually returned to being acutely aware of beauty, in the natural world, in humanity, in humor, intellect, curiosity, literature, music, friends, children, grandchildren, and love.

One of the last things she bought for her home was a welcome mat that simply read “Come as You Are.” This accurately reflected her genuine self. Bring your vices, your struggles, your quirks, your hardships to her door. She would welcome you without judgement, with open arms and love. We hope to continue this legacy.

Mom, we pray you are with Stephen, Dad, and your mom and dad, Grandpa, and Grandma Porter. What a great time that would be.

We would like to express our appreciation to her team of caregivers at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, as well as her Huntsman at Home team. Special thanks to Mary Steinbach and Nidhi Sharma who were special sources of trust, expertise, comfort and guidance throughout her long illness.

Family Prayer and closing of casket will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn, Saturday at 11:00 a.m., 2350 E 1300 S, SLC, UT 84108.

Graveside service will be held at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, Whispering Pines section, Saturday at 12:00, 3401 Highland Dr., Millcreek, UT 84106.

Luncheon to follow at 2862 E Crestview Dr., SLC, UT 84108.

All are welcome and wanted.