Ann Barrow Weiler (Annie) came to the end of her life of grace and elegance on Valentine’s Day after a long battle with cancer.

Ann was born in 1947 to Grace and Harold Barrow, who resided in Eureka, Ill. After her father became a faculty member at Wake Forest College, her early life was lived in the college community, first in Wake Forest and then in Winston Salem, N.C. She graduated from Converse College in 1969 and then completed a Masters in Deaf Education from the University of Virginia in 1971. After several years practicing in deaf education, she made a transition to consulting in the field of human resources development and training, eventually founding her own company in Newburyport, Mass. There she met and married Dale Weiler, an advanced technologies marketing consultant. After the couple moved to Falmouth, Maine, Ann became the inspiration for their embrace of art–she as a painter, he as a sculptor. Ann’s priorities in life were cultivating deep, enduring relationships and exploring her spiritual being. She possessed an extraordinary gift to connect with others.

The importance of family connections and a love of the mountains brought Ann and Dale to the Asheville area of North Carolina. Initially in Fairview, N.C., and then in Tryon, Ann utilized her artistic talent as a vehicle for introspection in her remarkable spiritual journey. Insight from this journey led to both her and Dale leaving their consulting careers to focus on art and relationships. While Ann’s primary motivation for her art was to aid and express her spiritual exploration, she produced thought-provoking paintings.  Her favored media were acrylics and later encaustics. Several exhibitions of her work were held throughout western North Carolina. Ann preferred to concentrate her energy in connecting individually with friends, family and community members rather than in joining groups and organizations. Ann and Dale, however, frequently contributed pro-bono consultation to various regional organizations. In addition, Ann played an important role in several local groups, including the Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry and the Upstairs Art Space.

Ann is survived by her husband, Dale Weiler of Tryon, and her brother, John Barrow of Carrboro, N.C.  Her step-sister Florence Weaver resides in Winston Salem, N.C.

At Ann’s request, a formal funeral service will not occur.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Susan G. Komen Association, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX, 75265-0309 or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C., 28722 .

An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel