Maria Manzo Hall, decorated teacher and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer May 1, 2018 at the age of 71.
Maria was born on May 13, 1946 in Derby, CT. She began her teaching career in 1968 after graduating cum laude from Southern Connecticut State College, where she also received an MS degree as a Reading Specialist in 1971. Upon her marriage on August 4, 1973, Maria moved to Amherst, MA, where she became the reading specialist for the Amherst School System.
In 1978, the family relocated to Mount Laurel, where Maria obtained a position as a 4th grade teacher at Johnson School in Cherry Hill. Several years later she co-founded the English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum in Mount Laurel with her friend and long-time colleague, Elizabeth O'Brien. She won the New Jersey Teacher's Best Practice Award for co-developing an ESL teaching program in her district, where she continued teaching until her retirement in 2003.
Maria was a Past President of the Sigma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society and was honored with their Key Award for distinguished service and accomplishments. In 2008, she was honored with the Dr. Linda Dix "Person of Distinction Award". She was a communicant at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Marlton and a Reader/Leader at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown. Maria also enjoyed gardening, cooking, bowling, participating in the Book Enders book club, and doing projects with her grandchildren.
Maria has shaped children and changed lives, but is most proud of the family she and her husband have nurtured and loved. She is lovingly survived by her husband of 44 years, Edward; and her sons, Kristopher and his wife Mary of Chesterfield, and Kevin and his wife Jaime of Moorestown. She adored and leaves behind 4 loving grandchildren: Kelly, Ethan, Andrew, and Audrey. Maria is also survived by three sisters, Patricia (Scalone), Lynda (Seigel), Irene (Monde); her brother John; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth.
Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Monday, May 7 from 6-9pm at the Bradley Funeral Home, Rt. 73 and Evesham Rd., Marlton, or Tuesday, May 8 at 9:45am prior to the funeral Mass. The Mass will be held at 11am Tuesday at St. Isaac Jogues Church, 349 Evesboro-Medford Road, Marlton. Interment will be private at Jesus Bread of Life Cemetery, Mount Laurel.
In lieu of flowers, the Hall family requests donations in Maria's memory to the Maria M. Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund, 43 Lowell Drive, Marlton NJ 08053.

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