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HALL -- MARY GREGORY PHILLIPS Age 93, died, October 29, 2011, in her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico while surrounded by loved ones. She was born July 28, 1918, in New York City, and graduated from Smith College in 1934. Mary is known for her compassionate nature, her love of music and art and her political activism for the environment and human justice. Always a step ahead of most people, she picketed the White House when Kennedy sent "advisors" into Viet Nam. She was concerned about the effects of air born radiation on children's bones, so lobbied and organized to stop the atmospheric testing of nuclear bombs. She was a founding member of Women Strike for Peace and in the Charlotte, North Carolina years, became a well-known civil rights activist. She and her family used their house as collateral to secure the release of a black man who was framed on an arson charge in North Carolina. She attended the Supreme Court deliberations on Swann vs. Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education, the first school bussing to achieve racial balance case. Mary and her family were shot at more than once as a result of her activism. Mary bravely joined the weekly silent vigil against the war in Viet Nam downtown at the Charlotte Post office. While, John Hall, her husband of 25 years, became a draft counselor, she provided food and a floor on which to sleep for young men who were fleeing the draft. She was an intervener in the Supreme Court case against Duke Power Company, in an attempt to stop the proliferation of nuclear power plants and to expand liability limits for nuclear accidents. In later years she supported the ACLU and the Natural Resources Defense Council and continued her fight against nuclear power in New Mexico. She was married to John O. P. Hall in 1950 with whom she had two children, Tabitha and Jonathan. Her move to New Mexico was precipitated by the loss of John and a new era began in her varied life. She met the love of her life, Hugh K. "Joule" Jennings at the Unitarian Church in Santa Fe, NM. She adored him and spent many happy times hiking and traveling all over the world with him until his death 25 years later. Her passion for people led her to a career as a certified Reality Therapist who received training directly from Dr. William Glasser, at the center in California. In Santa Fe, she worked with abusive and struggling families as a volunteer at the Santa Fe Family Center, and with private clients as well. Even as recently as four months ago, a client from the past found Mary in Albuquerque in order to express her gratitude for the help she received. Mary had a magnetic personality and was surrounded with friends wherever she went and in whatever she did. Despite any difficulties she encountered, she was always optimistic and had a laugh and a smile for any situation. She was extremely brave. She is survived by: her sister, Jane Phillips Bialek and nieces and nephew Janka, Kasia, and Peter; her children, Tabitha Hall and Jonathan Phillips Hall (Leslie W. Hall); grand-children, Sean Daniel Winkless-Hall (Jennifer Beth Winkless-Hall), Kerry Caitlin Winkless-Hall, and Dustin Phillips Hall; her step-children, Lee Jennings, Lynn Jennings, and Ken Jennings (Margot Jennings); step-grandchildren Colin McLeod (Crystal Jennings), Dana Jennings Garcia (Roland Garcia), Parker Jennings (Mykayla Jennings) and Hillary Jennings; and three step-great-grandchildren. Other beloved survivors include, Stephen Marinelli, Jaidev Contractor and his parents Donna and Devendra Contractor, Patricia Ramczyk, as well as her granddaughter by affection, Valeria Balderas (Oliver Sevillano) and baby Kimberly, Debbie Freschette, Kay and Martha Bird. A memorial service will be held in Santa Fe at a date to be determined.
        Published on: Sun November 06, 2011