MILLINOCKET and NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Frances Mary (MacDonald) Hall, 87, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. and formerly of Millinocket, died July 6, 2005, in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Frances was born July 30, 1917, the daughter of Daniel J. MacDonald and Roselyn Anne (Daigle) MacDonald, and the sister of Sheridan, Alexander, and Vincent MacDonald. In 1936, she graduated from George W. Stearns High School in Millinocket and decided that she wanted to be a nurse. She studied nursing at the Brunswick Hospital School of Nursing in Brunswick and Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. She paid her own way be alternating a year of school with a year of work in order to earn enough money to fund the next year of school. Her first position as a registered nurse was at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In 1941, Frances returned to Millinocket where she married Carl Everette Hall. Their only child, Alan Vincent Hall, was born in 1942. Frances worked for more than 20 years as the school nurse for the Millinocket School system and as town nurse for the town of Millinocket. She was a familiar sight in her office at Stearns High School, doing her rounds at the other district schools, and assisting local doctors in the various Millinocket health clinics. Frances and her husband retired in 1974, and moved to New Smyrna Beach, Fla. in 1976. Frances remained in Florida after Carl’s death in 1979, where she enjoyed the company of her poodles and her many friends. She also had a steady stream of visits starting with her son and his wife, then grandchildren, and finally, great-grandchildren. Some of her fondest memories, which she talked about just prior to her death, were her trips to Disney World with her young grandchildren. She developed many varied passions and interests throughout the years. She was an accomplished artist, mainly working in watercolors. This led to her involvement with the Atlantic Center for the Arts and Harris House, two world class artist foundations. She traveled extensively with her husband and friends. These trips included cruises to the Caribbean and on the Rhine River, as well as trips to Mexico, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, and most of the United States. She stood on both ends of US Route 1. She was still exploring at the age of 85 when she visited Italy for the first time. A true Floridian, Frances loved the outdoors. She enjoyed walking on the beach and watching the waves and the birds. She visited most of Florida including Key West, the Everglades, and Cape Canaveral. She watched space launches from her back yard. She played golf with her friends until the day an alligator came out of a nearby canal and ate her golf ball. Frances’ home was filled with many small mementos, bought simply because she liked them and they evoked a happy memory. She has many happy memories. Frances is survived by a large loving family and her beloved poodle, Penny. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2005 at R. L. Bouchard Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. Graveside committal services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, at Millinocket Cemetery, with Deacon Danny Watson officiating. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. To send condolences online, please visit www.bouchardfh.com.
FRANCES M. HALL
