Lois June Hale

Dear Lois’ family, friends, and former students, I want this obituary of Lois to be as unique as Lois was in life. If this reads like a conversation that is because I want for you to be the other side of the conversation, mentally adding to her story of how she affected your life. Our friend Lois June Hale was born in Oakland, California, 79 years ago on March 17th, 1942. Her parents were Edward and Francis Elizabeth Hale, both teachers and administrators. While growing up her family lived in Columbia, Turlock, and Denair California. From her parents Lois learned to love teaching. She was often recognized as an excellent student. Lois’ higher education started at the University of California, Berkeley. She finished a B.A. in Social Science at the California State University, Hayward. Lois continued her education at the University of San Francisco where she obtained a M.A. in Secondary Education with an Area of Emphasis in Mathematics. In 1966-67 Lois became a teacher at Chatom School, and for the following 37 years she dedicated her teaching career to the community of the Ballico-Cressey School District where she was recognized as a strict, but fair teacher. Lois expected all her students to work hard and be respectful, no matter who they were. She was a teacher that not only motivated and inspired students to learn mathematics, but she gave them tools to succeed in life. Teachers at Livingston High School recognized students coming from Miss Hale’s classroom due to the fact that they were well prepared in math and other practical skills, such as note taking. During the time she taught at Ballico, she taught two generations of children. She also created numerous friendships, too many to name. Charlotte (Wagner) Pietrantone will say a few words about her friendship with Lois: “I have been truly blessed as I have had Lois’ friendship in my life. Lois became my friend shortly after we moved to the Ballico area about 1975/76. Her name was Miss Hale. What a fun, funny, loyal, and encouraging person she was! In the first few years that we lived here Lois was just my friend as both of my children were too young for Lois to have as a teacher. But they certainly weren’t too young to be influenced by her. They both learned that Miss Hale was a lady they could look up to and respect. With our son Chris she would give ideas to find an easier way and to go about the little jobs and chores that his dad or I would put before him. With our daughter Holy, Miss Hale spent hours teaching and learning the Dolch word list and battling with her dyslexia. She and Holy became best friends. As time went on Miss Hale, Lois, would join us for picnics, or a ski trip in the Tahoe area. I can truly say that I would never have gotten through a couple of challenging times without the comfort and wisdom of my true and beautiful friend Lois Hale.”Besides being an excellent teacher, Lois was also “Coach Hale.” Mr. Bob Wear, former Ballico/Cressey School District Superintendent, and experienced coach, will say a few words of Coach Hale: “After-school sports was and still is an essential part of the Ballico Junior High experience. Three o’clock was not the end of the teaching day for Lois Hale. She would switch from math formulas, calculations, and number theories to the athletics fields. For many years Miss Hale would move from one sport’s season to the next. It was volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, followed by softball as the school year ended. She took much pride in coaching her athletes and was quick to praise her girls when they executed a successful bunt single, served as ace in volleyball, or made a spectacular shot on the basketball court. Her teams always came ready to play. The annual Delhi-Ballico Lion’s Club Tourney required a tremendous commitment from Coach Hale. She spent countless hours at the scorer‘s table. Her organizational skills were the key to the successful operation of that part of the tournament. As long as she coordinated the table, there was never a problem. She carefully trained hundreds of students in proper scorekeeping and scoreboard operation. Miss Hale did more than just coach her teams for a season of competition. She was really preparing her athletes for life. Practice, teamwork, commitment, dedication were constantly stressed as she conducted each session with her girls. She was without question a great coach who loved sports and wanted to pass that passion onto the next generation.” Lois was an avid traveler. Many of you may remember the fantastic trips to Washington D.C. During these trips Miss Hale made sure that her students not only had fun but that they learned about history, geography, art, and civic responsibility. Memorable trips! Lois also visited Europe three times, Canada, and most states in the United States. Several of those trips were to Colorado and South Carolina to visit her dear friend Charlotte (Wagner) Pietrantone. In her later years Lois became an honorary Mexican, known by my family as “Tia Lois.” We made yearly trips to the Mexican Riviera where she learned about my culture and about a family that respected and loved her as a real member of the family. Lois or Miss Hale will always be remembered as a daughter, teacher, friend, and tia. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Sincerely, Eva de Long

Tributes

Lois June Hale

March 17, 1942 - November 10, 2021