Mary Ann (Hale) Visser

Mary Ann (Hale) Visser, born on December 13, 1946, in Jackson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2024, in Greensboro, North Carolina, from bone cancer.

Mary was a dedicated artist and academic, having obtained her Master of Fine Arts degree from the Ohio State University, and later became a Professor of Sculpture at Southwestern University in Texas. Her work, rich with symbolism and the human form, often explored themes of feminism and grief, leaving a lasting mark on the art community. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Mary had a passion for breeding and showing Shetland sheepdogs, raising many champion show dogs over the years. She will be sorely missed by the Collie and Shetland Sheepdog community. Mary also cherished her time spent at the coast and had a profound love for British mysteries. Her keen sense of composition in both art and photography was admired by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard Ross Hale Sr. and Alice (Barnes) Hale, her beloved daughter Adriana Visser (1976-1988), and her siblings Michael Hale, Howard Ross Hale Jr., Barbara Hale Moore and Nancy Margaret Hale.

Mary is survived by her devoted spouse of 51 years, Sent Visser; her son, Dirk Visser; her daughter, Marieke Visser; her sister, Jennifer Hale Smith; her sister-in-law Ginny Hale; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws in the United States as well as New Zealand.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Triad Cremation and Funeral Service on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, with visitation from 5-6 p.m. The service will immediately follow the visitation.

To see more of Mary’s artwork, please visit: mavissersculpture.com.