Florence Marie Hall

The philanthropic world lost a shining star with the passing of Florence Marie Hall on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, Midland, Texas. A private interment will be at Mount Olive Cemetery, Big Spring Texas.Florence Marie Hall was born March 11, 1937 in Big Spring, Texas to Dr. Granville Tatum Hall and Mrs. Florence Thelma Free Hall. Miss Hall attended Big Spring ISD and graduated high school at the Hockaday School, Dallas Texas. After receiving a B.A. degree at Southern Methodist University and a secretarial certificate at Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City, Miss Hall acquired knowledge of banking and law through her work experience.Marie’s interest in philanthropy originated with her volunteerism at Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, where she trained volunteers, led tours and sponsored the first pediatric international psychiatry seminar. She chaired the inaugural Sealy Society Weekend (1995) and initiated the Mustard Seed Award, both for The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas (UTMB).A quintessential West Texas lady with creative vision, Miss Hall was analytical and inquisitive when researching potential projects. Her passions were to “incubate and nurture the practice of excellence and innovation”. An involved and committed donor and friend, Marie’s sapphire eyes would twinkle brightly and her quick wit would emerge as she learned the core components of an agency’s mission. Marie always concluded these sessions with “What’s on your Wish List?” One of her favorite quotes was: “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word: excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” (Pearl S. Buck)Although a private person, she touched the heart and soul of so many Texans. Her philanthropy embraced medicine, nursing, health sciences, rural health care, rehabilitation, fine arts, higher education, research, architecture, interior design, sports, law, and urban forestry. In addition to establishing multiple endowments, she provided generous scholarships, established endowed chairs, purchased state-of-the-art medical equipment and supported building and renovation projects.In 2011, she established the FMH Foundation and served as President until her death. Miss Hall’s mantra for her foundation is “To further a vision toward a reality”. Her legacy of giving back to her beloved West Texas will be continued through the Foundation she created to “foster collaboration, innovation, creativity, excellence, synergy, and development”.Marie received numerous honors including the Turner Award at the Museum of the Southwest; an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; Kleinschmidt Award from the Texas Tech University College of Architecture; 2003 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Permian Basin Chapter; Mustard Seed Special Award at UTMB; James E. West Fellow by the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce 1987 Woman of the Year Award.Miss Hall’s memberships included Midland Memorial Foundation Board of Governors; Howard College Department of Nursing Advisory Board; Midland College Foundation Board; Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health National Advisory Board; Permian Basin Area Foundation Advisory Governor; Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin at Odessa Advisory Council; University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Development Board, Honorary Life Member of the School of Nursing Advisory Council, Member Emerita of the School of Allied Health Sciences Advisory Council, and Open Gates Dyslexia Program. Her Big Spring, Texas civic affiliations included The State National Bank Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center, Rotary Club, Big Spring Main Street, and the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary The Virgin.Miss Hall is survived by dear friends too numerous to name; however, special recognitions are made to her dearest friends, Joyce Crooker and her late husband, Bill Crooker, of Big Spring, Texas who along with Miss Hall met various personal and civic challenges. Also Betty Lewis, of Midland, Marie’s personal secretary and “right arm” who retired in 2013, organized her business office and assisted her in the formation of the FMH Foundation.Miss Hall is preceded in death by her father (1965) and her mother (1982).During her lifetime, Miss Hall always expressed her gratitude toward the following individuals who positively impacted her life: Beatrice Banks, Shirley Barnes, Ann Lunsford, Shirley Lauderdale, the FMH Foundation Board of Directors, the staff of Nurses Unlimited especially Delores, Lola, Maria, Marva, Matida, Mattie, Melania, Patricia, Rosa. and Toywanda, Donald E. Crockett, Jr., M.D., David DeShan, M.D., Pedro Ramirez, M.D., and the interdisciplinary health care teams at MD Anderson Center, Midland Memorial Hospital and Continue CARE Hospitals of Texas.Memorials can be directed to the FMH Foundation, PO Box 51310, Midland Texas 79710 or to a charity of your choice.,