Maidi Ebel Hall

Maidi Ebel Hall passed away on May 19, 2025, at the age of 94 from health complications after suffering a stroke.

She was born December 19, 1930, in Vienna, Austria to Alfred and Anna Ebel. Her christened name was Gerda Felizitas Mia Ebel, but she had been called Maidi (a diminutive of a Viennese word for girl) as a child and at age 14 legally became Maidi Gerda Ebel when she became a US Citizen. In 1938, due to her father’s wisdom, their family fled ahead of the incoming Nazi forces, and were on the last train out before the Nazis closed the border. The family stayed in England for a time before relocating permanently to Rochester, NY.

She received her BA from Vassar College in 1951, studied at The University of Zurich during her junior year, and received her MA from Harvard/Radcliffe in 1952.

While still living in Rochester, Maidi met and married Kenneth Hall and moved to Durham where he became an anesthesiologist at Duke University Medical Center. After Ken died, she moved to The Forest at Duke, where she resided until her death. She was an avid bridge player, crossword puzzle, sudoku solver, and a devout Duke Blue Devil fan. .

Maidi was a Duke Surgical Wives volunteer at the Nearly New Shoppe for decades. The original Nearly New provided millions of dollars for medical school scholarships during this time.

She is survived by her children Pete Hall, Kathy Hall and Sandy Hall (Woozle Staddon), and seven grandchildren: Danny Marquez (Lauren), Achiri Acha, Anna Acha, Mel Orr, Josh Smith, Zander Hall, and Ben Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ken, and daughters Norma and Jennifer.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday May 29, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 810 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27705.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Jenny Hall Fund, Carolina Friends School, 4809 Friends School Rd, Durham, NC 27705.

The family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory.