Merry Beth Hall
January 28, 1969 ~ February 19, 2023
Merry Beth (Hyland) Hall of Richmond, Virginia died February 19, 2023, passing unexpectedly but peacefully, having lived a full and vibrant life as a musician, world traveler, and association management professional. She was a generous and fun-loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and a devoted "Mom" to four rescue pups and two cats.
Born at Fairfax Hospital to Thomas and Donna Hyland, Merry Beth grew up in Vienna, Virginia, and attended Oakton High School, playing numerous sports and musical instruments. She carried her love of music throughout her entire life, including her college years at James Madison University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1990. She was a member of the Marching Royal Dukes at JMU where she met her husband Allen and mutual life-long friends.
Merry Beth played French horn with the Richmond Philharmonic for more than twenty years and in numerous ensemble groups including the Beltway Brass, performing Christmas Eve shows at the Kennedy Center. She was also a founding member of the Commonwealth Winds, a wind ensemble known for entertaining and educational performances in the greater Richmond area. She instructed several color guard groups across Central Virginia including Tucker and Glen Allen high schools, whose bands were under the direction of her eternally grateful husband. Merry Beth and Allen also led numerous youth band groups on international performing tours.
In addition to music education and performance, Merry Beth had a successful 25+ year career in association management. In 2002, she earned a Master's degree in nonprofit management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She quickly rose to top leadership positions in traditionally male-dominated building and skilled trades industry associations and acted as an advocate for apprenticeship and journeyman training and education. She most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association where she was part of the strategic leadership team that merged two national associations under one new brand.
Merry Beth was fiercely independent and not content with a life defined solely by her professional accomplishments. She actively sought out new and different ways to have fun and forge friendships. From fly-ball to triathlons to Jimmy Buffet concerts, Merry Beth was game to try most anything and approached it all with a great sense of humor. She was also a fantastic cook, making even gluten-free and vegetarian options tempting.
Merry Beth is survived by her loving husband Allen Hall, mother Donna Hyland, brothers Stephen (Julie Neuber) and Timothy Hyland (Jan Hyland), niece Brett Hyland, sister-in-law Julie Hall and niece Katherine Hall. She was also a loving godmother to Jack and Finn Birdsong.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, February 25th at Wesley United Methodist Church, 711 Spring St. SE, Vienna, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Bobbie's Pitbull Rescue or the animal rescue group of your choice.
Born at Fairfax Hospital to Thomas and Donna Hyland, Merry Beth grew up in Vienna, Virginia, and attended Oakton High School, playing numerous sports and musical instruments. She carried her love of music throughout her entire life, including her college years at James Madison University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1990. She was a member of the Marching Royal Dukes at JMU where she met her husband Allen and mutual life-long friends.
Merry Beth played French horn with the Richmond Philharmonic for more than twenty years and in numerous ensemble groups including the Beltway Brass, performing Christmas Eve shows at the Kennedy Center. She was also a founding member of the Commonwealth Winds, a wind ensemble known for entertaining and educational performances in the greater Richmond area. She instructed several color guard groups across Central Virginia including Tucker and Glen Allen high schools, whose bands were under the direction of her eternally grateful husband. Merry Beth and Allen also led numerous youth band groups on international performing tours.
In addition to music education and performance, Merry Beth had a successful 25+ year career in association management. In 2002, she earned a Master's degree in nonprofit management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She quickly rose to top leadership positions in traditionally male-dominated building and skilled trades industry associations and acted as an advocate for apprenticeship and journeyman training and education. She most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association where she was part of the strategic leadership team that merged two national associations under one new brand.
Merry Beth was fiercely independent and not content with a life defined solely by her professional accomplishments. She actively sought out new and different ways to have fun and forge friendships. From fly-ball to triathlons to Jimmy Buffet concerts, Merry Beth was game to try most anything and approached it all with a great sense of humor. She was also a fantastic cook, making even gluten-free and vegetarian options tempting.
Merry Beth is survived by her loving husband Allen Hall, mother Donna Hyland, brothers Stephen (Julie Neuber) and Timothy Hyland (Jan Hyland), niece Brett Hyland, sister-in-law Julie Hall and niece Katherine Hall. She was also a loving godmother to Jack and Finn Birdsong.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, February 25th at Wesley United Methodist Church, 711 Spring St. SE, Vienna, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Bobbie's Pitbull Rescue or the animal rescue group of your choice.
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Dear Allen, please accept our sincerest condolences for your loss. We spent many wonderful and fun years in band together with Kevin, Justin and Adam. They are my most wonderful memories of their school years! You and the rest of Merry’s family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Merry Beth’s death. We are the same age and played soccer for the Renegades (Chesterfield Women’s Soccer Association) in our 30s. She was a good athlete but, more importantly, a lovely, kind and fun teammate. In recent years, she contributed to a fundraiser for a vulnerable family I knew (that she did not know). She was always so quick to lend a hand, give advice or make a professional recommendation. I can’t believe she’s left us. But what a beautiful legacy she leaves. She was a lovely, lovely, good human being. Sending love and prayers to her family. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. — Wendy Martin, Richmond, VA
Q: What will you never forget about Merry?
A: On my 21st birthday I got stood up for a date so I went to the music building at JMU to practice. Merry was there and when I told her about it she demanded that we go out and get a drink for my birthday. She made me feel so much better about myself and that’s one of the things I liked about her so much. She was caring and compassionate.
Merry Beth introduced me to my first rescue dog Chloe. I will be forever grateful for that. I’m so lucky to have spent time with her because she always made me laugh. She is a bright light forever.
Dear Allen and Hyland and Hall Families,
I want to send you all my sincerest condolences. I hope Merry Beth’s memory will always be a blessing to you all as I know it will be for me. I remember when Merry Beth started working at ICPI and we soon built a wonderful working relationship. She was a mentor to me within the association management world. She was so supportive of my pursuit of my CAE. Merry Beth was always the person you could go to for a laugh or for her to lend you her ear or for advice. She was the first person at work I told when I was pregnant and helped me hide it while celebrating our 25th anniversary of ICPI. I’ll always have the best memories of her. This is the last picture we took together as colleagues as I left soon after but I’m so glad I got to have this picture with her.
Merry Beth I’m going to make you proud and get my CAE soon and I’ll know you will be cheering me on as I study my butt off for the test.
All my love to you all
Alison
I was in elementary school with Mary Beth. She was a lovely girl then and it appears she carried that well into adulthood. I’m saddened to hear of her passing.
She took care of (fostered) our sweet Betty
XOXO
I am so very saddened to hear of the loss of Merry Beth. I have known Merry Beth since the day she came home from the hospital as a precious newborn. I babysat for her and her brothers often. She was the flower girl at our wedding. She was a sweet little girl. I loved her dearly. As life went on and as too often happens, I lost touch with her as she grew up. We had not see her until one day years later as your bride Allen. She had grown into a beautiful woman as I knew she would. She will always hold a special place in my heart. I know you all are heartbroken. l know I am.
Bill and I send our condolences on the loss of
Merry Beth.
Fran and Bill
Sincere condolences to the family of Merry Beth Hall. Walk softly in your grief.. ?
I had the privilege of working alongside Mary Beth with a consortium of mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors, and she left her mark on the training and education for technicians and professionals in those industries. An active gal that enjoyed finding a top-notch craft beer at the end of the days work too . RIP and Cheers Merry Beth ? you’ll be missed by many.. ?
Picture of the Beltway Brass Quintet from 2009 that was on the home page of our website for several years. Merry Beth played a lot of concerts & gigs with us 2004-2019 and was on all 3 of our CDs. We are so sad about her passing. She was a great colleague, musician & friend.
Donna J. My love and prayers for you and your family . I can remember playing with Merry Beth and Lori when we were young and you all were visiting Aunt Evelyn’s & I would be at Grandma Elsie’s . It’s amazing we had that strong Brooks trait with having Red Hair …. Reading Merry Beth’s accomplishments She Definitely Enjoyed life to the fullest … And like Mom and I …not only were you mother& Daughter but Best Friends My heart is with you always …Love Kiz
I am so sorry to read of Merry Beth’s passing. I spent four wonderful years in color guard at Tucker High School under her guidance and they are some of my best and favorite memories from that time in my life. She was kind, patient, fun, and so creative and I loved being a part of her color guard team. I have and will continue to cherish those memories. Sending Mr. Hall and the entire family my deepest condolences. The obituary was such a beautiful tribute.
Allen…Please call.
804-789-0536 or 804-248-2842
Marshall
I had the pleasure and honor of working with Merry Beth many years ago and she was not only a true professional, she was kind and gracious. Always gave of herself and her knowledge. Merry Beth changed a great many lives through her work, She was a fine individual.
In 1976, I met a fun girl named Merry Beth while on vacation at the Blue Surf Motel in Bethany Beach, DE. Our families enjoyed the time in the sun there, “together”, and when it was time to go Merry Beth and I decided we were going to be pen pals. Well, you would expect that to have lasted about five minutes with two 7-year-olds from PA and VA, but here we are, over 47 years later.
As we grew, time in between letters did, too, but even through the distracted years of college I still remember us writing and catching up. I’d moved to FL, then NH and hadn’t seen Merry Beth since our days at the beach, but I was DELIGHTED to be invited to her wedding, meet Allen, and see her family again. Such lovely lovely people, and a wonderful time!
I eventually moved to TN, Facebook took the place of letters, life and family happened, and too much time had gone by. Last year, we talked about getting together again. (Sigh) Time gets away far too easily. It’s funny…we lived in different states, we didn’t actually go through school together, work together, or spend regular time together through the years, but she was still a special part of my life that I thought would be there til we were old and gray, and I am so very sad to see her go so soon. I’m glad I got to wish her a Happy Birthday.
Merry Beth, thanks for being my “pal” for so many years. I will never forget you. You’re a very special person, and already missed by SO many who love you!
Allen,
So sorry to hear this. My most sincere condolences for your loss.
Dennis Walters
Q: What will you never forget about Merry?
A: Merry Beth is and always will be a JMU Duke!! She bled purple and was a lover of life. She was the kindest soul and was always someone you could lean on for absolutely anything. I’ll miss all of our group chats between the fellow Dukes in the office, and having her as a leadership mentor. Merry Beth is an angel gone WAY too soon, and I will always celebrate the amazing person she was!
I am so sorry about Merry Beth. We went to Oakton and were in the band and color guard together. She is actually younger than I, by about 2 months, but in high school, it was great to know I wasn’t the youngest!! I remember listening to Adam Ant in her room, and going to Ohio for a weekend to see family. I watched Porky’s for the first (and only) time with her and Tim, and didn’t understand it!! LOL We would go to basketball games at Tim’s school. And we went to the Air & Space Museum one time and picked up an entire German soccer team!! I haven’t seen her since high school, but we are FB friends and chatted a couple times. You will be missed MB!!
To a wonderful student, colleague and friend. We will miss you , but our wonderful memories of you and your horn will always bring us joy.
I will always remember the wonderful European band trips and Merry Beth’s wit, humor, and biting (but always friendly) sarcasm. She was a joy to be around. Allen, you will remain in my prayers as you face this difficult time. God bless you and your loved ones.
Dan Kosko
We are so sorry to hear this news. Please know we are sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. The Simmons Family- Sarah, Tracy and Katherine