Ann Elizabeth Hess, 93, of Bellefontaine, passed away at 4:13 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023, in her home at the Green Hill Community, West Liberty, Ohio.
She was born on December 28, 1929, to the late Julia (Sapp) and Edward Elder.
Ann married James Patrick Hess on December 29, 1956, who passed away on December 18, 2007. Ann is survived by her daughter Jane (Mike) Collins of Alexandria, Virginia; son Patrick (Cymbria) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Daniel (Mitzi) of Bellefontaine, as well as her grandchildren Sarah (Bryce), Mark (Roger), Luke, and Lauren, great-grandson Roman, her brothers Jerry Elder of Columbus, Ohio; and Michael (Carol) Elder of Pataskala, Ohio, and four nieces and nephews.
A gifted artist, Ann attended St. Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University) on an academic scholarship, then graduated from The Ohio State University, majoring in fine arts. She began her career as a fashion illustrator for the Columbus Dispatch, then returned to painting upon the birth of her children.
Ann’s work was recognized as “Best of Show” during the Ohio Watercolor Society exhibition at the Shumacher Gallery at Capital University, and “First Place – Collage” and “Best of Show” at several Western Ohio Watercolor Society and other contests. The Ohio State University Faculty Club honored her with a reception of her work. Her art was displayed via juried selection at the Torpedo Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, and selected as gifts for the Mayor of Sakura, Japan. Ann was also a member of MENSA.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine. Father Shawn Landenwitch will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church beginning at 10 a.m., on Friday, November 10. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Bellefontaine, at a later date.
St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Patrick Catholic Church, 321 E. Patterson Avenue, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE is honored to serve the Hess family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
