April 30, 1945 ~ July 18, 2020
Born in: Wheeling, WV
Resided in:
Cumming, GA
Dr. Mary Witham Armsworth (Mary Vivian Gosnell), loving Mother, Grandmother, Soulmate, Sister, Aunt, Professor, and Friend, peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by family on July 18, 2020. Mary was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on April 30, 1945, to parents Orval and Wanda Gosnell. She spent her childhood years in Dillonvale, Ohio, where she graduated salutatorian from Dillonvale High School.
Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocational Education from Ohio University and then went on to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling from the University of Cincinnati, where her focus became trauma and grief. Mary was a longtime, highly recognized professor at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She also maintained a private practice serving post-trauma adults. Mary earned the long-term admiration and friendship of so many of her students and colleagues over her teaching years having dedicated her career to helping others. In addition, Mary was very well respected in her field earning the Enron Teaching Excellence Award as well as speaking before the U.S. Congress about the topics of aging and trauma.
Following her retirement, Mary relocated to Cumming, Georgia, with her daughter and family in 2012 and quickly re-connected with lifelong friends and the love of her life, Aksel. They were able to travel to Texas, New York, and Ohio, as well as make lasting memories across North Georgia.
Mary is preceded in death by her father, Orval Gosnell; her mother, Wanda Gosnell; and her sister, Sarah Novak. Mary is survived by her son, Michael Witham; daughter, Anne Gibson; son-in-law, Ryan Gibson; two wonderful grandsons, Grant and Isaac Gibson; brother, Orval Gosnell; brother-in-law, Dr. Joseph Novak; many nieces and nephews; her soulmate, Aksel; and countless friends and students, with whom she left a lifelong impact.
While it is currently difficult for all of us to gather together in large groups, a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the near future. Please share any memories and loving words about Mary on this website.
In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations be made to The Place of Forsyth County, Inc. (theplaceofforsyth.org). This organization helps local families with basic necessities and support, fulfilling Mary’s lifelong passion for the wellness of people.
I’ll get the memories and thoughts started…. As some of you know, I was out of town when Anne went into premature labor with Grant six weeks early. I asked her if I should fly home on the last flight out of Baltimore to Houston at 6:00 pm, and she said no, it’s just false labor pains. At 10:00 that night, she called Mary to come over – and after one look at Anne, Mary called the ambulance to get her to the hospital. Mary was by her side as Grant was born at 2:00 that morning. Even though I missed it, she was a great stand-in and a rock for Anne as usual! Mary (Grammy) was a loving grandmother to Grant and Isaac and will always be loved and cherished!
I am so sorry for your loss . Dr. Armsworth was my favorite professor in graduate school.
Another precious memory is Thanksgiving with our family in 2018.
Rest In Peace Sweet Mary!!
Mary, Sweet Mary, I can’t imagine not seeing your sweet face as I go
into the Gibson Home. I love you and will miss you. Gods with you
and we have your warm precious memories.
Mary was a gentle soul and you could just tell how devoted she was to other people and her family. She would have made a wonderful Stephen Minister. Blessings always.
She was a truly genuine, caring person, who treated others with respect and kindness.
She had a sense of humor and dry wit that was unforgettable.
Dr. Armsworth was a remarkable woman who touched many lives and we are better people for having known her.
Dr. Armsworth – she was one of my graduate professors at University of Houston -sharp wit, dry humor, compassion, and encouragement through tough classes and subjects, especially trauma. She guided us to be there for others through the unimaginable. I learned so much from her and I am so grateful to her – she left poetry on earth through her actions and compassion.
My deepest condolences to Mary’s family. She was a very special person and an excellent mentor in grad school. She introduced me to professional conferences and I have many fond memories of attending with her over the years and continuing to learn both from her and with her as a friend and colleague. Although we lost touch when she moved to Georgia, it is comforting to to hear that she found happiness and fulfillment in her life there. She will be fondly remembered and missed.
I will always remember Mary as such a kind, gentle soul. I knew her best as “Anne’s Mom”, and got the pleasure of knowing her through Anne. I too remember her quick, sly wit, many times just snuck in there so quickly I almost missed it! She welcomed all of us friends into her home, and was always such a comforting presence. I’m so thankful to have known her, and especially thankful that those wonderful traits have passed along to her children who will carry her spirit onward. My deepest condolences to all who loved her.
I will always remember Mary as such a kind, gentle soul. I knew her best as “Anne’s Mom”, and got the pleasure of knowing her through Anne. I too remember her quick, sly wit, many times just snuck in there so quickly I almost missed it! She welcomed all of us friends into her home, and was just such a comforting presence. I’m so thankful to have known her, and especially thankful that those wonderful traits have passed along to her children who will carry her spirit onward. My deepest condolences to all who loved her.
1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 14
Moreover, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant* about those who are sleeping in death,+ so that you may not sorrow as the rest do who have no hope.+ 14 For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again,+ so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus.+
Mary will always have a place in my heart. More than any other person I’ve ever known, she knew how to give and find love during an extremely difficult and challenging time. No other love stories can compete with what Mary and Aksel created. I’m sure it was through a life-time of giving and loving that Mary created what I witnessed her last few years with us. I could not be around her and Anne or Aksel without feeling an ambiance of love. This is how I will always remember my dear friend, Mary.
Aunt Vivie’s academic achievements were impressive. She did reinvention before it was a thing. But her highest achievement was her kindness and the devotion she inspired in those around her. I will miss her.
*
beyond number those who experienced your touch
whatever the nature of that touch
in the fullness of their time
they too shall forget of you
what than when none are left keeping you in memory
passing onto others
the touch you gave
what than when none remain who remember
*
are you consigned to oblivion
identity deleted from the historical record
joining anonymous links in the great chain of being
*
your thoughts emotions behaviors
your teachings writings consulting
parenting mentoring
your loving !
your contributions in all their forms
continue acting through the ages
influencing those yet to come
*
two years this 18 july
when death parted you from life
always absent
yet
ever present
even when my awareness becomes unaware
as if you never were
“we”never were
remaining always absent
never parted
*
did you go gently into that dark night
did you rage unbeknownst to us
rage against the dying of the light
acknowledging the inevitable as i must
yet
i am not resigned
*
two years after mary vivian gosnell witham armsworth
18 july 2022
*