MOUNT PLEASANT – Mary Jo Kaiserlian, 79, died peacefully at home on June 11, 2015. Born in Racine to the late Joseph and Mary Secanky (nee Krescanko), Mary Jo graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1954 and Alverno College (Milwaukee) in 1958, with a BA in art and minors in education and philosophy. She did graduate work in art at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and later became certified as a reading specialist through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her marriage to Michael Kaiserlian took place at St. Rose Catholic Church in 1962.

Mary Jo's passion for art and education touched many facets of her life. She began her teaching career with the Kimberly School District and later worked for both Racine and Kenosha Unified School Districts. Mary Jo also taught at Gateway Technical College. In the 1960s and '70s, she taught children's art classes at Wustum Museum and exhibited her own artwork in area shows. In 1963-4, Mary Jo spent a year abroad teaching elementary school in Bogota, Colombia, an experience that sparked her lifelong interest in studying Spanish. In addition to teaching and raising her daughter, Mary Jo did advertising work for Schoolhouse Shoppes, a Racine gift shop she co-owned with four friends during the 1980s.

Through the years, Mary Jo had been an active member in various church communities: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, St. Mary's Church, and later, Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church. At OBUUC she taught religious education, served on church committees, and most recently headed a prayer study group. Mary Jo belonged to several organizations, including the American Association of University Women and the Racine Art Guild. She served as a board member of the Racine Art Association and supported the annual Monument Square Art Fair, serving two years as president in addition to chairing subcommittees.

After her retirement in 2000, Mary Jo traveled abroad to Great Britain, Mexico, Italy, Thailand, Spain, and Turkey. Later in life, she resumed art-making and exhibiting her work. Mary Jo also enjoyed writing poetry and memoirs and reading extensively in the areas of meditation and mind-body healing.

Mary Jo is survived by her daughter, Michelle Kaiserlian, art historian, and son-in-law, composer Jason Hoogerhyde, of Austin, TX; brother Tom Secanky (Linda), Lakewood, WI; uncle Frank Krescanko, Racine, WI; nieces Becky Aldag (Andy), Neenah, WI, and Lisa Gray (Kurt), Bradenton, FL; nephew Joe Secanky, Kenosha, WI; great-nieces and nephews; extended family; and a wide circle of devoted friends who she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son David Kaiserlian.

Services will be held at the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Avenue, on Saturday, June 20. Visitation will begin at 1 pm, followed by a service at 3 pm. A private event to celebrate Mary Jo's life will be planned for early August.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mary Jo may send memorials to Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, the Racine Art Museum, and the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.

The family wishes to thank Mary Jo's caregiver, Melanie Hughlett, for her sensitivity, kindness, and generosity.