Marlene Hall's Obituary
Marlene Sylvia (Molly) Hall, age 91, died August 14, 2025 in Punta Gorda, FL. She was born November 6, 1933 in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Roland F. and Alice Vogelpohl Radecke.
Molly was a graduate of Alton High School, Alton IL. She attended the University of Colorado (Boulder) for two years and transferred to the University of Missouri (Columbia) where she received a Bachelor of Journalism degree and was a member of Delta Delta Delta, social sorority and Gamma Alpha Chi, advertising sorority. After college, she was employed as a television copywriter for the Robert Bradham Advertising Agency in Charleston, SC from 1955-1957 and then after moving with her husband to Petersburg, VA she was continuity director for the NBC-TV affiliate in the Richmond, VA area. Later, from 1967 until her retirement in 1991, she taught journalism and American Literature classes and sponsored the Redbird Word school newspaper at Alton High School.
In Alton, Molly was a member of Junior Service League, the Junior League of Greater Alton, Community Service League and the St. Louis area Tri-Delta Alumnae Association. She served on the board of the Alton Museum of History and Art, was a volunteer tax preparer for IRS-AARP for over 20 years and served as an election judge for 22 years in the Alton/Godrey area. Since 1960, she has been an active member of P.E.O. in Alton chapters IL and JZ and Florida chapter HN in Punta Gorda.
Molly was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Alton for most of her life.
In 2016, Molly moved to Punta Gorda, FL to enjoy life in the warm sunshine! She loved life and all people and will be missed tremendously.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Christopher Hanson, and her loving companion for over 30 years, Roland Nilsson.
Surviving are two daughters, Julie Black and husband, Roger of Punta Gorda, FL and Sally Hanson and husband, Tim of Ballwin, MO; three grandchildren: Alison Black Scherer and husband, Alex of Punta Gorda, FL; Nathan Black of North Port, FL, and Sara Hanson of Ballwin, MO.
A service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Alton, IL on September 8th at 11:00 and a family Celebration of Life in Punta Gorda FL will be held at a later date.
Thank you to Life Care Center of Punta Gorda and Tidewell Hospice for their compassionate care.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following local organizations: Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda at https://www.prwildlife.org or Drug Free Punta Gorda at https://www.drugfreepg.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Marlene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marlene?
Share a story where Marlene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marlene you’ll never forget.
How did Marlene make you smile?