"See how you are" was a favorite refrain of Jean J. Hall who died March 25, 2017 at the home of her sister, Janice A. Hall of Joplin. The refrain probably came from her many years as counselor and aimed at anyone who needed to engage in some self-examination, including members of the family.
Jean was the daughter of Dr. Marvin F. Hall and Grace Elizabeth (Milliken) Hall. She was born May 28, 1947 in Joplin and was one of five children. Her life was filled with adventures - big and small. A family trip by car to Mexico in 1955, her 4th grade year, included fearless early morning horseback rides with the hired caballeros at a hacienda resort. Their admiration was evident.
She loved animals and at one time wanted to become a vet. In her first year of vet school at Texas A&M she was the only female student. Early on she exhibited the trait of "animal magnetism" and that trait was still evident on a recent trip to the Budweiser clydesdale breeding farm outside Boonville, Missouri. While on the touring wagon, the young pastured stallions headed straight to Jean, nibbling on her shirt and nuzzling her hair. An old friend likened her to St. Francis of the Assisi, but probably without the halo.
Her determination through sometimes difficult years did not keep Jean from graduating from McAuley High School in Joplin, 1966; Idaho State University, B.A., 1972 and Pittsburg State University, M.A., 1989. She gained an Idaho teacher's certificate in 1978 and was employed as a high school teacher on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation outside Pocatello, Idaho. Many years later Jean worked successfully as a licensed professional counselor in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. Her professional objective was "to make a meaningful difference" in the lived of patients. Honest, fair and true she guided many fellow travelers in N.A. and A.A. Jean was generous, loyal to family and friends.
Her sense of humor and quick wit endeared her to many, especially those at the early breakfast gatherings at Mary Lee's cafe in Joplin. Jean was always herself and cared little for material stuff. No one could "fence her in" as she always insisted.
Her surviving family, so saddened by her parting, are sisters Janice and Joyce Hall of Joplin; June E. Hall and husband, Paul V. Disdier, nephews James F. Disdier and Paul F. Disdier of Juneau, Alaska; cousins Dr. Melvin Richards (Doris), Sue Richards, Linda Watkins, Quita Kohler (Dave) and Curtis Lininger (Terri) of Iowa. Her older brother James M. Hall preceded her.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Joplin.
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