Mary Katharine Waters, 87, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Thursday (February, 19, 2026) at Wellsville Manor Care Center, surrounded by family following a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Waters was born on June 5, 1938 in Andover to Leonard and Maude (Slocum) Reisman. She attended Andover Central School. On July 8, 1956 she married Donald J. Waters, who survives.
Mary worked in health care tending to the needs of the elderly. She began her career with Highland Nursing Home in Wellsville before taking a position at Castile Nursing Home, then Warsaw Nursing Home and finally Wellsville Manor Care Center. In 1984, she opened and operated her own proprietary facility, Waters Home in Whitesville, where she continued her private caregiving until 2002. Mary finished out her career with Wellsville Manor Care Center, retiring in 2006.
In addition to her husband of 69 years, Mary is survived by five children, Roxana Waters of Scio, Danny Waters of Hallsport, Donna (Ronald) Sims of North Syracuse and Matthew (Tracey) Waters and Christopher (Christy) Waters, both of Whitesville; one sister, Alecia Branson of Whitesville; 11 grandchildren, Tony Wolfer, Donald (Carrie) Wolfer, John (Mellisa) Waters, Dustin (Alyssa) Waters, Scotty (Courtney) Waters, Emily (Chris) Waite, Megan (Jason) Witter, Conor (Leah) Waters, Allyson (Levi) Miller, Rebekah Waters and Drew Waters; 16 great-grandchildren, Chelsea (Jake) Breidenstein, Arianna Wolfer, Zachary Wolfer, Alexis (Nick) Clark, Spencer (Jenna) Wolfer, Halie (Jason) Fraizer, Olivia Waters, Dane Waters, Kayden Holcomb, Raelee Waters, Isabel Waters, Colton Waite, Codi Wilson, Maddox Witter, Oaklynn Witter and Isaiah Waters; one great-great-grandson, Rhette Breidenstein; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her special canine friend, Ellie.
She was predeceased by five brothers, Jim Reisman, Ferdnand Reisman, Leo Reisman, Richard Reisman and Paul Reisman; five sisters, Arlene Feller, Margaret Pryhoda, Betty Questel, Patricia Hulse and Florence Dodson and a granddaughter, Jessica Elane Waters.
Mary loved the Lord with all her heart and her life centered around her devotion to Him. Her life’s verse was:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:13
She lived that promise every day. Mary was a long-time member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Whitesville. Sunday spaghetti dinners were a long-standing tradition where the extended family gathered around the table for a meal.
Mary loved her family. She enjoyed the Ranger rides with her husband on the back roads of Whitesville, looking for wildlife. She also enjoyed the many trips visiting her daughter in North Syracuse and other little excursions that allowed family time together. She cherished the many family reunions at the summer picnics and the large family gatherings at the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Her favorite memories are of her children and grandchildren fishing in the family pond.
Mary always keep her hands busy. She was a fabulous cake decorator; making wonderful and memorable cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements or bake sales to raise money for local events. She always said baking cakes was her way to relax. She was often accused to trying to fatten up her kids and grandchildren with goodie bars, homemade pizza and other treats, a charge she would have to plead guilty to. In her younger years, she sewed many of her children clothes, some of which still remain carefully stored away.
And finally, Mary had quite the sense of adventure. When dared to ride the Viper at Darien Lakes, of course she was up to the challenge. She enjoyed flying and she loved the sound of diesel engines.
Visitation will be held on Saturday (February 28) from 1-3 p.m. at Crosstown Alliance Church, 450 N. Highland Avenue in Wellsville. The memorial service will be held at the church at 3:00 p.m. immediately following the visitation with her Pastor Philip Barner officiating. Burial in Whitesville Rural Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Wellsville/Scio. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60601-5224. © 2025 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
