Janet W. (Wells) Watters

Rensselaer - Janet W. Watters, 96, of Empire Circle Rensselaer died Friday, March 24, 2017, at her residence after a long and happy life.

Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Howard M. Wells and Beatrice Crowell Wells of East Cleveland, OH and Limington, ME. She graduated from Shaw High School, and in 1942 from Smith College in Northampton, MA. While at Smith she was active in the Student Christian Movement and there met her future husband, Philip S. Watters, Jr. They were married in 1943 and embarked on their lives together.  Phil became a Methodist minister and together they served communities in the Adirondacks and Tennessee before Phil volunteered to work with the American Friends Service Committee in the rebuilding of Europe after WWII. 

Upon his return to the States Janet and Phil relocated to northern New Jersey where they raised their three children.  Merry, Brad and Steve have many memories of their times in East Orange, Summit, Kearny, Morris Plains and Mendham. Every summer they vacationed with family in Limington, ME and Tupper Lake, NY and each Christmas they got together with siblings and cousins.  Janet’s kind and generous presence was a constant as were her quick wit and loving support.  In 1962 she began working as a social worker in Morris County and ultimately became the supervisor of the Morris County Welfare Board, overseeing the rollout of Medicare and Medicaid in the county.

In retirement Janet and Phil lived in Morristown NJ and also traveled to England.  Janet volunteered at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown. Phil predeceased her in 1990. Since 2002 Janet has lived with her daughter Merry in VT, Saranac Lake, West Sand Lake and finally Rensselaer, participating in the life of each of the churches her daughter served.

Janet loved keeping up on the active lives of her family and cultivating relationships with neighbors and church friends. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, and walking her dog.

Survivors include: her 3 children, Rev. Merry Watters, Rensselaer, Rev. Bradford (Deborah) Watters, Salt Lake City, UT, Philip Stephen Watters (Sharron), Limington, ME; her grandchildren, Christopher (Jill Green) Watters, Danielle (Anthony) Marzelli, Stowell (Marina Steller) Watters, Samuel (Jennifer) Watters, Dylan Watters; and beloved nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her brothers, Howard M. Wells Jr. and Bradford Wells.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Church of the Covenant, United Methodist 3055 Route 43 Averill Park with Rev. Joseph Auslander, Pastor, officiating.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Janet W. Watters to the Church of the Covenant Memorial Fund Box 306 Averill Park, NY 12018.

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