MaryJo A. Wakeman, MD Obituary (2009)

MaryJo A. Wakeman, loving wife, devoted mother and caring physician, was killed in an automobile crash this week in Sanford. Dr. Wakeman, "MJ" to those who knew her well, started her life journey in Brookings, SD on July 25, 1955. She was the fourth of five children and first daughter of G. Harvey and Mary (Shinnick) Wakeman. As a youngster she had a most inquisitive mind and outgoing personality that lead her to pursue such varied activities as acting and debate, where she achieved great success, finishing as national runner-up in debate as a junior in high school.Forgoing her senior year of high school, she went directly to college, studying the sciences at South Dakota State University and graduating with a degree in physics from the University of South Dakota. She knew her life must be spent helping others, so medicine was the natural career path for her. She studied for two years at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, and an additional two years at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, from which she graduated Alpha Omega Alpha, in the top fifteen percent of her class.MJ began her training at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, where she met her future husband, Kent N. Hall. After a year in Washington, she was selected to be the Medical Officer on the USS LY Spear. Her navy career took her next to Pearl Harbor, HI where she was the Medical Officer in charge of Military Sick Call. It was during this time that she discovered her calling to make a difference in worker's health. After leaving the military she finished her training in Occupational Medicine at the University of Cincinnati while simultaneously earning a Masters degree in Occupational Medicine. Throughout her career she worked hard to develop public health programs leading to a network of occupational health clinics for the greater Cincinnati area. She moved to Sanford in 2006 and was quickly given the position of medical director for occupational health. She cared for many local patients hurt on the job, worked with companies to maintain safe work environments, and helped to shape policy for public health issues. She was instrumental in writing the protocol to manage epidemics like the recent swine flu scare. She wrote articles for local papers on topics of public health. She had a smile on her face for everyone she met and was generous with her time and knowledge. She was loved and beloved by her family, friends, co-workers, and patients. They enjoyed her dry and witty sense of humor and her unwavering practicality and stability. She had a tremendous work ethic, was professional in her demeanor and cared deeply about her patients, her coworkers and the Goodall Hospital organization. MJ also found time to be active in her church community. She was a communicant of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford and was an outstanding singer in the church choir.Survivors include her husband, Dr. Kent Hall of Sanford, director of emergency medicine at Goodall Hospital, three sons, Michael Hall and his fiance Kara Muckley of Cincinnati, OH, Alexander "Ted" Hall and his wife Jessie of Madison, WI, Martin "Mac" Hall of Sanford, stepson Kevin Hall and stepdaughter Rachel Hall, both of Schenectady, NY, her mother of Brookings, SD, 2 brothers, Richard Wakeman and James Wakeman, both of Brookings, SD, and a sister, Julie Wakeman-Linn of Bethesda, MD.Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at the Holy Family Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, 66 North Avenue in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Covington Latin School, 21 E. 11th Street, Covington, KY 41011. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home 580 Main Street, Springvale.