Margaret Hall was born on March 29th, 1959, Easter Sunday. Anyone who knew her has a story to tell, and those stories invariably begin with, “You can’t make this up.” She was a bright star on this earth, sometimes a blazing star, certainly a memorable star. She lived with vigor and creativity, with a side order of the extravagant. On Tuesday, November 9th, that light rose up to Heaven, to rest in the arms of the King of Easter, Christ her Savior, where her light will continue to shine into eternity.
Margaret’s lifetime adventure began in Sheboygan, where she was born and raised in the loving home of her parents, Arelius John and Kathryn (Ritger) Hall. She attended Sheboygan schools, and graduated from North High in 1977, having shone in synchronized swim, tennis, and cheerleading. She was the cute but quiet one. A bachelor’s degree in Phy. Ed. and Education followed at UW-LaCrosse. And then a lifetime of teaching began, beginning in Medford, Wisconsin, where she taught Physical and Health Education and coached synchronized swim. Margaret moved on to Shorewood/Whitefish Bay, there teaching and coaching tennis, followed by two years at the American School of London as a 2nd grade teacher. This was only the beginning of her international travel adventures, spanning Europe, India, Turkey, and the Mediterranean region. No matter where she went, Margaret always managed to encounter someone with a Wisconsin connection. After London, she moved to New Orleans, where she enjoyed the greatest education experience of her life, teaching 4th grade for 15 years at the prestigious Isidore Newman School.
All good things must come to an end. Margaret’s New Orleans adventure was abruptly ended by Hurricane Katrina. She was able to rescue her magnificent concert harp after several anxious weeks of evacuation. Then she returned to Sheboygan and devoted the next nine years of her life to the care of her parents. Anyone who has been a caregiver knows only too well how difficult this can be, yet Margaret did so, steadfastly and with love and compassion. She also applied her talents in many ways, by sewing amazing Halloween costumes for nieces and nephews, gardening, golfing (better than the guys, sometimes), and especially by starting a fused glass art studio at EBCO Artworks. She produced creative and beautiful jewelry and glassware, which she sold at art fairs around the state.
No one who knew Margaret will ever forget her, that is certain. She was strong-willed, independent, opinionated, outrageously funny, a fierce competitor, and deeply devoted to those she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother Matthew (Kellie Dworaczyk) Hall, of Austin, Texas, her sister Helen (Jim) Traudt, of Whitefish Bay, nephews Andrew Hall, Sean Hall, Matthew Traudt, and nieces Elyse Hall and Ellie Traudt.
Margaret sincerely wished to thank the many people who assisted her as she courageously battled cancer, especially Dr. Bettag and the staff at Matthews Oncology, the staff members at St. Nicholas and Froedtert hospitals, and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. All were exceptionally kind and compassionate caregivers. There were many special friends who stayed the course and provided whatever was needed to assist Margaret, including Jill, MaryJo, Maureen, MaryAnn, Vicki, and Tim and Diane. And a good lesson for us all is simply to help our neighbor when that person needs it most. Margaret’s neighbors, Patty, Lorene and Jerry, Tim and Andrea, and Rob and Jenny, were exceptionally kind neighbors who truly made a difference.
Family and friends may gather to reminisce, and to celebrate the rising of Margaret’s soul into the arms of her loving Savior on Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1132 Superior Avenue, Sheboygan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clement Catholic Church, 522 New York Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021. Family and friends are welcome at the church again on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Entombment will take place in Calvary Mausoleum.
A memorial fund has been established in her name.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Margaret’s arrangements.
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