Mary Helen Hale

Mary Helen Hale May 25, 1920 - October 12, 2007 Mary Helen Hale was received into Heaven Friday, October 12th through the loving grace of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was joyously reunited, on her husband's birthday, with dear ones who had preceded her, her father James Carroll Parker, mother, Mollie Dear Parker, her beloved husband, Dr. George Hale, her son, John Hale and his wife, Deanna Tsiatsos Hale. Born Mary Helen Parker in Merryville, Louisiana, Mary was an energetic and musically talented young lady who graduated from Louisiana College with degrees in English and Music followed by a Masters degree in English from Louisiana State University. While speaking at a Baptist Student Union rally as the Outstanding Student of the Year for the nation, Mary saw an interesting young man, George Hale, who had just told his friends, "That's the girl I'm going to marry!" When he said, "Hello," to her after the meeting they began a long distance courtship that would lead them to marry on June 12, 1942. They would be married 57 years. Mary supported George as he completed medical school and served in the Navy in WWII by teaching school and giving music lessons. After the war, Mary and George were planning to serve in China as missionaries but their plans ended with the Communist takeover of China. Recruited by the Alaska Railroad to come and help build the emerging Territory of Alaska, Mary and George moved to Alaska in 1949, helping to build the Territory into it's acceptance into Statehood in 1959. While Dr. George served in medicine and surgery, Mary gave herself as his wife and mother of their three children, John, Jim and Nancy. Despite her busy schedule, she also gave her life to building the community through her dedication to the First Presbyterian Church and her teaching of Music and English at Anchorage High School. She was one of the initial Directors of the Anchorage Community Chorus and the Founder of the Alaska Festival of Music. She was a Charter Member of the Alaska State Council of the Arts and was nominated several times as, "Alaskan of the Year." She received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Alaska in 1965 for her contributions to the State in the Arts. She worked for many years as an Administrator at Anchorage Community College and University of Alaska, Anchorage, founding and directing their popular Arts Fair. Her energy and influence were legendary. One plaque she was given honored her with the saying, "Before you call Washington, call Mary Hale!" Upon retirement, she continued with her love of gardening, being a constant friend and companion to George and enjoying her five grandchildren, Crystal, Jonathan and Michael Hale and Andy and Melissa Lee. She loved her weekly time with her friends in the "Margaret Walkup Circle," of her church. Later, she became a great grandmother to Jason and Isaac, the sons of Jonathan and Marileigh (Meyer) Hale. After the death of George in 1999, she moved to Grand Junction, Colorado to live with Nancy and Jim and their families. She was dearly loved by all. The Hale and Lee Families would like to express their sincere appreciation for the kindness and care given to Mary at Larchwood Inns through their staff and the staff of Hospice. Your compassion and friendship were very healing. Memorial services will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Saturday, October 20th at 1:00 p.m., Pastor Jim Hale officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amazon Outreach, c/o Spirit of Life Christian Fellowship, PO Box 40111, Grand Junction, CO 81504.