Margery Hale

Margery Brock Hale
Margery Brock Hale passed away on Sunday evening, Feb. 19, at Cape May Retirement Center after a short illness. She was 90 years old.Mrs. Hale was born as Ruth Margery Brock on Sept. 2, 1921, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the late Walter Richie and Henrietta Kulow Brock. Her father was a manager with Bell Telephone and moved the family throughout parts of Ohio, including Hillsboro, Cuyahoga Falls, and Alliance. Margery graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School and went on to study at Kent State University, Michigan State University, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, and The Ohio State University where she earned her degree in dietetics. She was a managing dietician at the OSU University Hospital where she met her husband, Dr. Nathan S. Hale of Wilmington, whom she married in 1949. The couple moved to Wilmington in 1951 where Dr. Hale joined his father’s practice at the old Hale Hospital and became one of the original medical staff members at the new Clinton Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Hale and her husband were part of a community of medical families that formed the heart and organization of the young hospital. Mrs. Hale was very active in the original CMH Physicians Auxiliary and Guild and organization of the annual Hospital Ball. Mrs. Hale and Dr. Hale served as hosts in introducing many physician families to CMH and the Wilmington community. The Hales also hosted many international guests and students for Wilmington College. Mrs. Hale’s culinary skills and sumptuous table presentation are legendary.  Mrs. Hale was a founding charter member of the Wilmington Faith Lutheran Church, a member of the Six and Twenty Club, and belonged to a local social women’s group called The Hookers, which was centered around hooking rugs.
Mrs. Hale was an avid supporter of the arts in the community. She served on the board of directors of Wilmington College and was an active member of the Clinton County Historical Society. In 1994, she and Dr. Hale provided the CMH Foundation an endowment of the old Hale Hospital property as part of the Hale Heritage Endowment Society for hospital development and community green space. Recently, she saw that charity funding from Hale Hospital was transferred to Sugar Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Hale remained active well into her 80s and assisted with sorting clothes and greeting at Sugartree Ministries.
Above all, Margery Hale was a loving mother and wife, devoted to her family, her community, and her church.
Mrs. Hale was preceded in death by Dr. Hale in 2002; her sister, Beverly B. Sharp of San Antonio, who passed away last summer; her brother-in-law Col. John Sharp; and her brother-in-law Myron T. Hale of Wilmington. She is survived by three sons, Philip B. (Yamile) Hale of Wilmington; Dr. Frank A. (Cindy) Hale of Franklin, Tennessee; and Jonathan K. (Teresa) Hale of Wilmington; two granddaughters, Dessa C. Hale and Allison M. Hale; her sister-in-law Norma Hale; two nephews, Dr. Layton Hale and Alan Hale; and three nieces, Linda Sharp, Christine Sharp, and Kathy Blohm.
Calling hours are scheduled for this Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church between 2 and 4 p.m., followed by services and reception at the church starting at 4 p.m. All friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Faith Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Wilmington College Music and Theatre and Arts Departments, Wilmington College Frank Hazard Arboretum, the Clinton County Historical Society, the Murphy Theatre, Sugar Grove Cemetery, or Community Care Hospice. The family would like to thank the staff at Cape May Retirement Community, Clinton Memorial Hospital, and Community Care Hospital for the excellent care they provided.

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