Mary Martin Hershberger, a longtime Palisades resident and a highly respected regional artist, passed away on February 6. She was 97. Born on June 11, 1907 in Elkhart, Indiana, Hershberger was a graduate of Goshen College. She lived in Princeton, New Jersey, before moving to California with her family in 1949. They lived initially in Westwood, but moved to Pacific Palisades in 1964. Her husband, W. Delmar Hershberger, was a professor in the school of engineering at UCLA until his retirement. He died in 1987. Hershberger worked for over 50 years in various media, including sculpture, ceramics, watercolor and oil painting. She also worked for several years as a commercial artist in the aerospace industry. She was a member of the Women Artists of the West and showed her work with the Palisades Art Association, where she won a number of awards. She was a lifelong student of art, constantly challenging herself and a few close friends to learn new techniques. For example, she mastered the art of printmaking and of Japanese brush painting, a minimalist and painstakingly difficult medium. The Hershbergers were very active in the Palisades Presbyterian Church, where Mary served on the board of deacons. Her children, grandchildren and friends recall as well her love for gardening; her skill at handicrafts and baking breads, pies and pizza; her zeal for composting and recycling before it was fashionable; her avid bridge-playing, and her joy in traveling repeatedly on five continents. Hershberger is survived by her children, Betty Zisk of Boston, Edward Hershberger of Portland and Ruth Campbell of Rancho Palos Verdes, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held at the Palisades Presbyterian Church, 15821 Sunset Blvd., on March 12 at 10 a.m.
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