Molly Hall

Marlene Sylvia “Molly” Hall, 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 2 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/Godfrey 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.

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 gathering to celebrate Molly’s life will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 7, 2025 at The Commons Outreach Center, 14885 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO.  A visitation will be held from 10:15 a.m. until time of memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, East 4th St. & Alby St., Alton, IL.  Pastor Charles Spencer will officiate.

Memorials may be made to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, P.E.O. Executive Office, Attn: Treasurer, 3700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312 or SouthSide Early Childhood Center, 2101 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.