Laura Grace "Audie" Saillant Hall

Audie Hall of Indianapolis passed away quietly on December 22nd at the age of 74, succumbing to a lengthy illness she battled relentlessly. She was a supermom, a wife (also super), a teacher, a sister, an aunt, a grammy, a hostess, a nurturer to homeless animals, a Certified Master Gardener, and everybody’s best friend, always offering kind supportive words, big hugs, and a radiant smile. 

Audie was born on April 14, 1950 in Hartford, Connecticut, the second of seven children and oldest daughter of William King Saillant and Grace Davidson Saillant. The family relocated to the northeast side of Indianapolis where Audie, a prom queen and a Goldenaire, graduated from Arlington High School in 1968, and still maintains many friendships from high school. She moved on to IU Bloomington where she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, graduating in 1972. She later earned her Master of Education degree at IU Indianapolis (IUPUI).

She then embarked on her 30-year career as an elementary teacher with Indianapolis Public Schools, primarily teaching first graders whom she absolutely adored, and who adored her. 

Always a champion for the underdog, whether it was a homeless animal or someone in need, she responded. Audie once saw a feature on TV about an organization called Little Dresses for Africa, a non-profit that established a program for people to make simple, colorful dresses to be sent to orphanages in Africa. She was so moved, she set a goal to sew 100 dresses for this program, completing the first 100 three months later, and was featured on WTHR’s “Women You Should Know” segment for her efforts. Eventually, she would send over 700 dresses to Africa as well as another 150 to an orphanage in Haiti.

As a busy single working mother raising three active children, she often spent her evenings running between different baseball/softball diamonds and it was at one of these games where she met her future husband. She (bravely) married Bill Hall in 1999, blending their families and their five teenagers, four cats, and two dogs.

Audie and Bill enjoyed a wonderful, active life together and hosted many family celebrations and Indy 500 race parties. 

They (primarily Audie) raised and fed countless shelter and feral animals through the years. They also enjoyed traveling to fun destinations and eventually adopted the west coast of Maui as a viable alternative to Indiana in February, returning a dozen times after their initial “once-in-a-lifetime” trip in 2010, and where Audie’s ashes will be spread.

Audie will be greatly missed by her many friends, her book (wine) club, her power walking buddies, and her family.

She was predeceased by her parents. Surviving are husband Bill Hall, Indianapolis; daughters Abigail Harlan (Rick Graef), Zionsville, IN and Caroline Harlan, Philadelphia, PA; son Mark Harlan, Newcastle, CA; stepsons Cory Hall (Shanna Ostermiller), Rushville, IN and Chris Hall (Lesley), Indianapolis, IN; sisters Barbara Saillant, Webster, NY, Louise Smith (Russ), Shelbyville, IN and Lisa Hause (Steve Dodson), Carmichael, CA; brothers Bill Saillant (Kim) Pierceton, IN, Ray Saillant (Jack Gross), Houston, TX, and Ken Saillant (Elizabeth) Lexington, SC. She also leaves behind grandchildren Aurora and Deserae Harlan, and George, Gram, Will and Bauer Hall as well as six nieces and seven nephews.

The family would like to thank the angels in the Memory Care wing at Rittenhouse Village along with those at Traditions Hospice and Grace at Home for the loving care Audie received over the last 18 months. The family is also grateful to Dr. Jared Brosch of IU Health Neurology for his care and guidance throughout Audie’s illness.

A Celebration of Life is being planned in Indianapolis for January 25th with details to be announced shortly. 

In lieu of flowers, her family invites you to make a memorial donation to one of the following organizations that were important to Audie:

FACE Animal Clinic

Alzheimer’s Association

Teacher’s Treasures