Mary Elizabeth Hoinkes

Mary Elizabeth Hoinkes died on March 31, 2025. She was born August 13, 1940 and is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Horst Dieter Hoinkes.

She retired from the U.S. Department of State in 2000 and resided in Middlesex County, Virginia. During her more than 25 years with the U.S. Government. Mrs. Hoinkes served as General Counsel of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) from 1993 to 1999, and following its merger with the State Department, as the Associate Legal Adviser of the Department of State.

Prior to joining ACDA in 1981, Mrs. Hoinkes held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment, Health, Food and Natural Resources. In 1980, Mrs. Hoinkes was elected Chairman of the Economic Commission for Europe’s Senior Advisers on Environmental Problems and Vice Chairman of the OECD’s Environment Committee.

Mrs. Hoinkes joined the Department of State in 1976 and served as Assistant Legal Advisor for Oceans, Environment and Scientific Affairs from 1977 to 1979. From 1969 to 1976 Mrs. Hoinkes was an official of the International Labor Organization at its Geneva headquarters and its Washington Branch Office, of which she was Assistant Director. From 1965 to 1969 Mrs. Hoinkes was engaged in the private practice of law in Washington D.C. with the firm of Clifford and Warnke.

Mrs. Hoinkes is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and undertook her legal studies at the University of Virginia and the Georgia Washington University, from which she received her JD in 1965.

Mrs. Hoinkes has served on several Boards of Directors including eight years on the Board of Christopher Newport University and 10 on the Board of her Alma Mater, Randolph Macon Woman’s College. She is the past president of the Board of Management of Middlesex Family YMCA, and also served on the Board of Rappahannock Westminster Canterbury, River Counties Community Foundation and the Middlesex County Public Library. Mrs. Hoinkes has received numerous honors and awards, including Alumna of the Year from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award. She was also a member of the bar of the District of Columbia and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Mr. Hoinkes would like to have privacy during this time.