Mary Margaret Hall

The link to the webcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbRpvF4cgJg

   Mary Margaret Hall, a long-time resident of Durham, NC, who was known as “Reta” to her family and friends, passed away on September 11, 2022 at the age of 88. Reta was born in Glasgow, Scotland on October 29th, 1933 to parents Elizabeth Docherty, a hairdresser, and William Docherty, a shipyard engineer.

   Reta attended and graduated from Notre Dame School for Girls in her native Glasgow, then went on to study hairdressing at technical college. Reta worked in her mother’s hairdressing shop and established several hairdressing businesses of her own over the years. Reta spent her early teens in Scotland living through the forced sacrifices and hardships of WWII which played a large part in establishing the iron will, determination, and worldview that would stand her in good stead throughout her life.

   Reta Docherty (23) met James Hall (26), a piano tuner and technician, who came to her parent’s home to tune their family piano in 1956. They were married in September of that same year at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in the Cardonald suburb of Glasgow. Together they raised eight children (four boys and four girls) who all survive her: James F. Hall (65) & spouse Jackie Hall of Lochwinnoch, Scotland; Gerard J. Hall (64) and spouse Laura Hall of Durham, NC; Marie Woodward (61) and spouse Walt Woodward of Columbia, CT; Philip M. Hall (60) and spouse Marguerite Hall of Nashville, TN ; Fiona C. Hall (59) of Charlotte, NC; Denise A. Mazzei (57) and spouse John Mazzei of Staatsburg, NY; Alan G. Hall (56) , of Reno, NV; and Margaretrose M. Hall (54), of Tallahassee, FL. 

Reta is survived by 20 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Reta is also survived by older brother Monsignor Henry Docherty (91) and by younger sister Kathleen MacKay (84) and spouse Robert MacKay. Reta was preceded in death by her husband, James Hall, in September 1982 and by her sister, Frances Docherty, who was born September 1944 and who died October 1944.

   Reta and her husband, Jim, emigrated from Scotland in 1960, with two children and a third child just 6-weeks away. Over the next eight years, another five children followed. The family had homes in Somerdale, NJ, Woodbine, NJ, Willingboro, NJ, Republic, MO and Tallahassee, FL. Soon after the passing of her beloved husband, Jim, in Tallahassee, FL in 1982, Reta moved to Durham, NC to be closer to members of her family.

   Reta, who stood at a daunting height of 4’ 10”, charmed everyone she met with her lilting Scottish accent and her unapologetically Scottish perspective – on everything. She loved wearing stylish tartan skirts, Scottish wool cardigans, and brooches. Reta loved baking her special Scottish shortbread which she made in large trays, hand-cut and pierced individually, then packaged in “cubes” that she wrapped and sealed with layers of wax paper, gift wrap, and tape. To receive a gift of Reta’s famous shortbread cube was a very special event which, due to her generous nature, was enjoyed by many throughout each year – especially the Christmas and holiday season. Reta was a regular attendee of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham where she took pleasure in preparing and providing meals (notably her famous Scotch Broth and Scottish Trifle) to the priests of the parish. For her grandchildren, “Tea with Gran” was always a special treat as was the day each grandchild became as tall as, or taller than, their Gran. For her grandchildren, this was a very important rite of passage – to measure up against their Gran.

   Over the years, Reta and her husband were very involved in community activities, having helped establish the renowned Willingboro Soccer Club in Willingboro, NJ, where both were founding coaches, and the hugely successful Willingboro International Festival, among other community projects. But most of all, Reta and Jim were devoted to their family and provided a shining example to their children of what could be achieved with drive, ambition, a strong work ethic, and the courage to seek out and take on new opportunities.

   The family has entrusted Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701, with the arrangements. A viewing will be held at the Hall-Wynne Funeral home on Friday October 28th, 2022 from 5pm to 7pm where Reta’s family will receive and welcome visitors. A Funeral Mass, open to all who wish to attend, is scheduled for October 29th, 2022 at 1:00pm at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham. Immediately thereafter, Reta will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Jim, in a graveside internment ceremony at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham.