Mary J. Naus Watters, Ph.D.

Mary J. Naus Watters, Ph.D. went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, entering into eternal joy on March 27, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and supported by her many wonderful friends. She was blessed with a long survival following her terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2023. As a breast cancer survivor since 1997, she met this new challenge with characteristic courage and grace. Mary's was a remarkable example of a life well lived — rich in family, friendship, community, and meaningful work as a psychology teacher and researcher.

Mary was born on December 10, 1947, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Donald J. and Leone M. Naus, the second of their three children and their only daughter. She grew up in this small Midwestern town, in her family home named "River Oaks" — built on a wooded hill overlooking the Sheboygan River amid a beautiful oak tree landscape. Mary graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1965 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1969, double majoring in Psychology and Mathematics. Three years later, at the age of 23, she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Princeton University, with the distinction of being the youngest recipient of a Ph.D. in the department's history. She was also awarded the National Institute of Mental Health Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, given to a highly select group of Ph.D. candidates across the country. Mary completed her clinical post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Aaron Beck, the father of cognitive therapy.

Mary then began her academic career at Wellesley College (2 years), Haverford College (7 years), and the University of Houston (30 years). At the University of Houston, she served as Director of the Health Psychology Research Group, supervising more than 20 Ph.D. students, publishing numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, presenting at national conferences, and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in statistics, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and health psychology. She received the Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Houston, along with numerous honors from professional societies recognizing her research contributions. Mary also served on the editorial boards of several psychology journals and received many grants supporting her research and the training of her graduate students.

In 1971, Mary married William C. Watters III while Bill was a medical student at Harvard Medical School. In the early years of their life together, they moved often as Mary completed her graduate studies and Bill completed medical school and his residency in orthopedic spine surgery — from Madison to Boston to Philadelphia, and finally to Houston, where they settled and made their home beginning in 1982. Mary and Bill have two sons: William Charles Watters IV, and Christopher Travis Watters, who is married to Shannon Crawford Watters. Travis and Shannon have two children, Asher (age 7) and Wynter (age 4). Mary is also survived by her brother Peter and his wife Mary Mansheim. She is lovingly remembered as well by her late brother Greg's wife, Diana. She has seven adult nieces and nephews and fourteen grandnieces and grandnephews.

Mary loved her family and was devoted to them above all else. Her grandchildren were the joy and end-all of her life. She respected and loved her wonderful sons, and considered Shannon to be the daughter she never had. She cherished time spent with her family — traveling together, sharing dinners, and simply spending time by the pool. Mary and Bill have been devoted to one another throughout more than 54 years of marriage, having met in 1969 at the University of Wisconsin. Mary often said that Bill is the love of her life and her very best friend.

Mary was also deeply community-oriented, serving on many boards across health care, education, and the arts, including the Cattle Baron's Ball, the Houston Ballet, the Komen Foundation, St. John's School Board of Directors, and the Harvard Medical School Advisory Board. Mary and Bill were Episcopalians who worshiped for many years at St. John of the Divine Church and more recently at St. Martin's Church. Mary also enjoyed tennis and golf at the River Oaks Country Club, working out at the gym, swimming, and walking in her neighborhood. She and Bill loved to travel, and Mary had visited more than 100 countries with Bill, her family, and her dear friend Marie. Since retiring from the University of Houston, Mary took up competitive bridge — achieving the rank of Life Master — along with oil painting, reading with her book club, gardening, her Blossom Club, and cherishing time with her wonderful family and her many deeply loved friends.

Mary and her family wish to thank Dr. Benjamin Musher and his staff at Baylor/St. Luke's Hospital, and Dr. Robert Wolff of MD Anderson Cancer Center, for their compassionate and expert care throughout Mary's pancreatic cancer journey. They also extend their deep gratitude to all the nurses, hospice care providers, and support personnel who gave such loving care to Mary and her family. And from Mary and Bill, a heartfelt and special thank you to their many friends who offered prayers, flowers, bridge games, dinners, and so many delightful visits.

In lieu of flowers, Mary and her family gratefully request that memorial contributions be made to Dr. Benjamin Musher's research fund at Baylor College of Medicine so he may continue his research to treat pancreatic cancer (www.givebcm.org/musher). Or you may mail your donations to:
Baylor College of Medicine
Advancement and Alumni Affairs
PO Box 4976
Houston, TX 77210
c/o Dr. Benjamin Musher's research fund

A memorial service will be held Monday, April 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056.