Marian Joan Dekker Hall

I had a dream about Dr. Hall last night. I have never dreamt about her before and it´s been over 40 years since she served as my mentor. In my dream, Dr. Hall was interviewing an 18 yr old who had found his way to Children´s Medical Center from...Peru... in search of help for a strange illness with urological and psychotic symptoms affecting his father and now him. No one would take him seriously...except Dr. Hall. She listened with respect and compassion and inspired hope that if answers...

I was a graduate student in School Psychology at the University of Minnesota in the 1970's. I was privileged to have Mary as a teacher. Her influence continues in my life to this day.

Marian was a wonderful and warm person who had an amazing combination of curiousity, vision, dedication, and passion to help children and the community. As one of the architects of the Minneapolis Children's Hospital approach to caring for all aspects of the child, (not only the medical needs), she influenced the national movement to humanize the experience of children in hospitals. As a psychologist she blended a strong scientific and theoretical drive with a depth of caring for children...

I first met Marion when I was in graduate school more than 40 years ago. She was a pioneer in co-founding the School Psychology Program. She played a key role in the founding of the Walk-In Counseling Center and was a volunteer and board member. It was she who hooked us up with TeenAge Medical Service. Once Children's Hospital was built, we served together on the Mental Health Advisory Committee and the Board of Trustees. She was always a tireless advocate for children. We worked together...