Harriett Elizabeth “Betts” Hall, longtime lay leader at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church in Echo Park, died Dec. 5. Interment of ashes will be at 2 p.m. on March 9 in the church’s Lazarus Chapel columbarium, 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles.
Hall is survived by her daughters and son – Deborah Campbell, Rebecca Ollice, and David Hall– and by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is predeceased by Michael John Hall, her husband of 60 years.
The couple began their devoted service to St. Athanasius Church in 1957, contributing their talents as members of the altar guild, choir, various boards, and directing numerous church dramas.
Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1926, Betts Hall graduated from the Winnipeg School of Art in Manitoba, Canada, in 1944. A skilled artist in all mediums, she had a particular love for charcoal, capturing the essence of people and the beauty of still life. Her treasured sketchbooks from travels in the United States and England with her husband remain a testament to her artistic legacy.
Hall’s talents extended beyond visual arts; she was also an accomplished musician. She proudly held the position of 2nd violinist in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and entertained communities with her piano skills alongside her parents and siblings in her youth.
Hall was a longtime staff member at L.A.’s Hollenbeck Palms retirement community where she resided in recent years. She also was a regular docent at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino.
“Having outlived her three gifted sisters, Hall reached the remarkable age of 98, leaving behind a profound impact on the world through her art, music, and unwavering love for her family and community,” her family noted in an obituary. “Her generosity, wit, and dedication as a loving parent and spouse will forever be remembered.”