Dr. Mary Witham Armsworth

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.