Margianne Hall

Hall, Margianne 76 Nov. 04, 1934 Oct. 12, 2011 Margianne Hall, 76, a resident of Portland, died of a bacterial lung infection and heart failure. She was surrounded by her children, comforted by phone calls and determined to participate in shared memories. Her decision showed strength, love and the understanding of what was important for her life. Margi was born in Newton, Iowa. Her parents, Irene and DeWitt Hall, moved the family to Huxley, Iowa, in 1943. In 1953 she graduated from Huxley Consolidated School along with 16 classmates. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., for two years and performed with the Manitou Singers. In 1957, she earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa (English major, journalism minor) and two weeks later married Ernest James Mosbaek. Her life with Ernest and magazines such as "The New Republic" broadened her outlook on the world. The couple moved to San Francisco in 1957, where their twins Karen and Kristen were born a year later. Later that year, they moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where their son Craig was born in 1961. Margi reluctantly left the West Coast when the family moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1963. Their Midwest community was enriched by their strong commitment to integration, opening opportunities for African-American and Jewish homeowners. In 1966 the family moved to Bethesda, Md. When she wasn't sewing, cooking, doing needlepoint or hosting memorable parties, she could be found knocking on doors, fundraising for Dollars for Democrats. This love of politics led to her first job on Capitol Hill in 1971. She worked as a legislative associate for Congressman Thomas Rees on the House Committee for the District of Columbia. Residents and visitors in the nation's capital are still benefitting from her commissioning a study that resulted in an improved layout of the Metro subway system. In 1979, now single, she relocated to Friendship Heights and worked for the U.S. Railway Association. Her last job was with the Internal Revenue Service as a publications editor. Retiring in 1997 allowed her to fulfill her dream of moving back to the West Coast, and Portland in particular. She created a great life for herself, making friends who shared her love of theatre and concerts, books and politics and, of course, movies. She was right at home ordering Stumptown Coffee, stopping by the See's Candies store and shopping at the Portland Farmers Market, which was founded by her son, Craig. She is survived by her brother, Phil Hall of Scottsdale, Ariz.; daughter Karen Mosbaek of Rockville, Md.; daughter, Kristen Mosbaek, son-in-law, Doug Green and grandson, Matthew Green, of Bethesda, Md.; and son, Craig Mosbaek, daughter-in-law, Fran Davison and granddaughter, Ellie Mosbaek of Portland. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at the Quintet Clubhouse, 6695 W. Burnside, Portland. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to send donations to the Portland Schools Foundation or Elizabeth Warren's U.S. Senate campaign. The family would like to know of your donations. Messages may be sent to km@KristenMosbaek.com.