Adele Hall's selfless life worth emulating
Adele Hall helped push many charitable endeavors forward in Kansas City, with uncommon grace and humility. The 81-year-old, who died Saturday, epitomized the city’s spirit of giving.
Hall, who was married to Donald Joyce Hall, chairman of Hallmark Cards, effectively and generously served this community through decades of advocacy. She led such organizations as the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, the Heart of America United Way and Children’s Mercy Hospital. Her multimillion-dollar fundraising ability has benefited many organizations, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony.
Hall also worked to bring diverse communities of Greater Kansas City together, serving as vice chairwoman of the United Negro College Fund and on advisory boards of DeLaSalle Education Center, Genesis School and the Rose Brooks Center. She co-founded the Central Exchange and the Women’s Public Service Network.
Hall won numerous awards for her tireless volunteer and philanthropic work for children, education, health and civic betterment of Kansas City. Her death in Hawaii was unexpected, and as a pillar of the community and a genuinely kind and gracious person, Hall will be missed.
Hall’s lifetime of giving selflessly to the community represents a model for future generations to follow. As others step forward, her legacy will grow, expanding the Kansas City spirit of service to others.
Phil Cardarella
3 months, 3 weeks agoIt was a pleasure for my wife and I to get to know this good and gentle lady.
Good and gentle — and strong when she needed to be. As Benet wrote of his poetic heroine, “…spritely made, but hard to break as a rapier blade.”
“Noble” in the best sense of the word, she understood that wealth and position carried with them the responsibility to make your community and the world at large better for all.
She will always shine as the brightest gem in the Hallmark crown.