Mary Hall

Our Mom, Mary Hall, passed away on Feb. 7, 2015, at the age of 97.

Mom lived life to its fullest. She always had “a job”, whether it was teaching, supporting causes that were dear to her heart, or taking the time to reach out to anyone who needed help.

Mom became a teacher in New Jersey after losing her first husband, George Benjamin, in the Second World War. Teaching was the only job that allowed her to take her sons to school and be there to pick them up afterward.

She met her second husband, Earl Hall, carpooling to school. They married in 1951, and were happy until Dad passed away in 2003.

I visited a friend here in Alaska, and decided this is where I wanted to retire. I bought a house, and when I told Mom, she said we had to move then — not when I retired — because she wanted to enjoy it. She was 92, and still teaching in Texas. When we made the decision to move in 2009, she told everyone I made her quit her job.

It didn’t take her long to become an Alaskan. She loved it here, constantly marveling at how beautiful it is, and how wonderful the people here are.

She made many friends at the Wasilla Senior Center, Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center, and throughout many communities.

At Alaska WildBird, she became our oldest volunteer, and invented “Owl Pals,” little stuffed owls and owl pouches, she made and sold to raise funds for the center. Each one was her unique creation, made by hand, and they were soon in great demand, helping the center immeasurably.

At WASI, she took over the library, reorganizing and maintaining it with love, as reading was a major passion for her. She joyously played cards several times a week, and loved animals, always having a stash of dog biscuits ready — just in case.

She never stopped being a teacher. She started a writers group at WASI, and wrote a series of children’s stories, poems for friends and family, mentored many, and was there for whoever needed help.

She leaves behind: daughter, Merle Stewart of Wasilla; sons, Chris Benjamin and wife, Sherryl, of St. Augustine, Florida, and Steven Benjamin and wife, Renate, of Radford, Virginia; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves two grand dogs, a grand cat, and two grand owls.

I want to thank all those who made her life rich with laughter and friendship, and who looked after her, including everyone at WASI, her helpers, especially Mary Jerkins, the Gilbert family who adopted her as their Grandmother and all of her friends and extended family who gave her so much delight.

Come celebrate her life and legacy with us at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 28 at the Wasilla Area Seniors Center, 1301 S. Century Circle, Wasilla. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to WASI, 1301 S. Century Circle, Wasilla, AK, 99654, or to the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center, PO Box 521317, Big Lake, AK, 99652.