Janet Watrous

1950 - 2025

The Rev. Janet C. Watrous of Raleigh died peacefully on October 6 after a long illness.

Born on February 17, 1950, in New York City to Dr. Joseph B. and Katharine Watrous, Janet grew up in Binghamton, N.Y. She graduated from Binghamton Central High School and began college at the newly founded Kirkland College in Clinton, N.Y., before transferring to the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. There, she earned her degree in literature in 1972 and discovered the joy of living abroad, forming cherished friendships and embracing the experience with her signature curiosity and humor.

Janet's calling to ministry led her to the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., where she earned her Master of Divinity in 1977. That same year, she was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Central New York, and in 1978-just the second year the Episcopal Church officially allowed women into the priesthood-she became a priest.

She was often the first woman to serve in the parishes she led across New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Though the path was not always smooth, Janet met each challenge with grace, grit, and a deep belief in the power of community. She also ministered to Anglican congregations in Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Zagreb, Croatia, while accompanying her husband on his Fulbright professorships.

Janet had a gift for saying yes-to people, organizations, and causes she believed in. Her colleagues affectionately called her "the Energizer bunny." She poured her boundless energy into diocesan work in North Carolina, serving on the commission on ministry, the standing committee, and the camp and conference center. She championed congregational development and was a proud leader of the Episcopal Women's History Project.

Her commitment to justice extended beyond the church: she served as president of the boards of Planned Parenthood, Interact, and Summit House, always advocating for those whose voices needed amplifying.

Janet was a force-brilliant, generous, and always ready to laugh. She had a way of putting folks at ease, whether through a joke, a thoughtful gesture, or simply by listening. At just 5'1", she somehow managed to fill every room with her presence. Her heart was enormous, her spirit unflagging, and her love for her family and friends immeasurable. Those who knew her best marveled at how she transmuted even her personal tragedy and loss into greater care and regard for all God's creations.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dr. Robert Kochersberger; her daughter, Annie Kochersberger; and her son-in-law, Benjamin Locklair. Her beloved son, Charlie, died in 2007. She also leaves behind her siblings Eleanor, Charles, and Carolyn, along with a constellation of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will carry her memory forward.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Janet would have loved for donations to be made to Democratic political candidates-she believed deeply in the promise of American democracy and hoped to preserve it.