Mary Michelle Hall

Look at Mary's smile. Close your eyes. Listen to her laugh in your mind. It was pure contagious joy, and Mary used her laugh and her smile to brighten the lives of those around her.
Mrs. Mary Michelle, (Galvin) Hall, (73), of Moultonborough was welcomed back into the arms of her Creator on Dec. 2, 2015, with her husband Henry by her side. He sang hymns to her as she rested, and Mary passed peacefully after weeks of visits by family and friends.

Mary was born in Dorchester, MA on May 8, 1942, the fifth of seven children. Her parents were Matthew Augustine and Catherine Griffin Galvin, both of whom were Irish immigrants who found new lives (and each other) in Boston after crossing the Atlantic in sea in search of opportunity and adventure. Mary's father Matthew was a Boston police officer with a bottomless heart. He worked three jobs but somehow found time take Mary to and from school. Young Mary learned a lot from her father about loving deeply and working relentlessly on behalf of others. Mary's mother Catherine combined her Irish wit and cleverness with a large dose motherly love to raise the rowdy Galvin children in what can only be described as the "most enjoyable form of progressing chaos imaginable." Family gatherings were loud and fun, and only grew in intensity over the years. Whether it was the example set by her parents, the instruction of the nuns at St. Peter's Parish School, or a combination of the two, Mary was blessed to know the love of her Creator at an early age.

Mary graduated from Cardinal Cushing High School in South Boston, and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Boston State College. She later earned a Master's degree in Counseling from Ohio State University. Mary's career was a perfect fit for her big heart, and one that would take her all over the world in the service of others: elementary school teacher. She first taught in Boston and subsequently spent years in Germany, Japan, and Korea teaching at Department of Defense schools. Mary's other travel adventures included Ireland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Greece, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Turkey, Denmark, China, Russia, and many more. She was later heavily involved in the Head Start Programs in Fall River and New Bedford, MA. On July 9, 1976 Mary and Henry were married and moved to Germany where he was stationed in the Air Force. In 1978, their son (Sean) was born, and in 1980, they moved to Moultonborough, NH. They lived in a tiny camper on a heavily wooded lot while Mary and Henry built their house one board at a time. Mary continued her teaching career at Moultonborough Central School for several years, and it was during this time that Mary and Henry adopted their second son Matthew. She was active in St. Charles Church in Meredith, serving in religious education and as a Eucharistic Minister. Mary and Henry loved to travel together, especially to Lourdes, France, where Mary did volunteer work.

In recent years, Mary's favorite pastimes were reading books to her grandchildren, sharing hot fudge sundaes with friends, and going to church with Henry.

Mary is survived by her husband Henry, her sons Sean and Matt, her step children Kim Holzer, Chris Hall, Theresa Stokely, and Mike Hall, her sisters Catherine Galvin, Noreen Capraro, Anne Marie Russillo, her brother Eamon Galvin, her grandchildren Maria and Jack Holzer, Danielle and Mike Hall, Linsday and Jeremy Hall, and Noah, Zane, and Sierra Hall. Mary was predeceased by her brothers Michael and Matthew Galvin.

Mary was a devoted daughter, loving sister, compassionate teacher, adoring wife, encouraging mother, and faithful friend. Her heart of gold, big smile, captivating laugh, and enormous heart will be missed by us all. She truly made this world a better place.