Erin Cathleen Hine

Erin Cathleen Hine of Dunkirk, MD passed away during the early hours of September 18, 2022 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 24, 1960 in Honolulu, HI as the seventh of ten children to the late Frances and Phillip Swart. She spent her childhood moving frequently as her parents served in the U.S. Navy and found her primary homes in Northern Virginia and Northern California.

She graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA in 1978 and then attended James Madison University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (Summa Cum Laude) in sociology and criminal justice. After graduating from college in 1982, she immediately joined the Prince William County, Virginia police force as a police officer and attended the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.  Two years later she moved to the Arlington County Police Department where she continued her work as a police officer.  In 1989, she left police work and became the director of security at the National Orthopedic Hospital in Arlington.  In 1991 she departed the workforce after the birth of her first son. This is when her most favorite job began – that of a full-time mom for the next seventeen years.  

Erin re-entered the work force in 2008 as a FEMA Workforce Assistant in Hyattsville, MD.  In 2010 she began working for ATF as a ballistics technician where she continued to work until August of 2022. She was a treasured and respected employee of ATF, entrusted with the responsibilities of analyzing crucial ballistic evidence and training new analysts.

Erin was a friend to all who knew her and a selfless member of the community. She spent much of her time planning surprises for her friends and family, and those who had the honor of being her friends have all experienced her intense generosity and consideration.

She was an active member of the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Erin spent much of her time volunteering as a caretaker of the community’s sick and elderly. She was an ardent supporter of the local homeless, frequently donating to local food banks and assembling and dispersing handmade care packages. She was a lover of dogs, cross-stitch, and antiques. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her two sons, and devoted her life to ensuring their happiness.

Erin was married to Gregg Hine from 1985 until 2020. Both continued to remain good friends after their divorce. 

She is survived by her sons Kevin and Patrick Hine, Patrick’s wife Sarah Hine, her siblings Tim Swart, Lynn Swart, Peggy Sauer, Patrick Swart, and many nieces and nephews, and countless close friends. She is predeceased by her parents and siblings Maureen Swart, Kevin Swart, Dennis Swart, Shannon Kenneally, and Sheila Swart.

She will be greatly missed. 

A funeral liturgy in remembrance of Erin will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Upper Marlboro, MD on September 30, 2022 at 4:00PM. Visitation with the family will precede the mass at 3:00PM, and a repass will directly follow. All are welcome to attend the reception. Dinner will be provided and attendees will be invited to share their favorite memories of Erin.

In accordance with Erin’s spirit of giving, we ask for donations to causes important to her in lieu of flowers. Donations may be made in Erin’s memory to the GOG Foundation to support gynecologic cancer research in the hopes that in the future these diseases may be identified early and treated effectively https://www.gog.org/new-horizons/, or to So Others May Eat in order to continue Erin’s mission of supporting the poor, homeless, and elderly in the Washington, D.C. area https://some.org/donate/.