Marianne Walters

Dr. Marianne Walters passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on April 8th 2025, at Margaret's Hospice in Dundas, Ontario, at the age of 91.

Born in 1934 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and raised in Houston, Texas, Marianne was the beloved daughter of the late Robert King Walters and Harriet Fuller Walters. She was predeceased by her dear brother Geoffrey King Walters of Houston, Texas. She is fondly remembered by Geoffrey’s widow, Jeanette Walters. Marianne is survived by her brother Robert Stephen (Tony) Walters and his wife Linda Walters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Marianne was the beloved mother of Eric Schmidt (Ellen Primack), Rob Kristofferson (Rebecca Godderis), and Susan Kristofferson. She was a cherished grandmother to Henry and Edwin Kristofferson, and a loving presence in the lives of all her family members.

For the last 35 years, her partner in life was McMaster professor Bill Smyth, with whom she traveled the globe extensively and often. For the last 15 years they have also devoted their efforts to the Never Again Group who seek fair treatment for the state of Israel. During this period, Marianne sent out daily selected discussions of Israel and anti-semitism to 200 followers.

Marianne's academic training included a BSc (1957) and PhD in Psychology (1964) from the University of Cincinnati. She received an academic appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at McMaster University in 1968 where she served with passion and dedication as a research psychologist. She was appointed as Professor in 1980 and became Professor Emeritus upon retirement from the university in 1996.

Marianne contributed to academic life not only through research and teaching but also through leadership. She held numerous key roles at McMaster and within the broader academic community, including serving as Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, President of the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA), a Board and Executive member of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), a Council member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), and President of the McMaster University Faculty Club.

Once 'retired', Marianne continued to evolve her professional journey by retraining as a registered psychologist. She maintained a private practice in individual and couples psychotherapy, offering care, insight, and compassion to clients well into her retirement years.

Marianne’s intelligence, generosity, and quiet strength touched the lives of many. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former colleagues, and all those whose lives she helped shape and enrich.

A celebration of her life will be held on May 17th, 2025 at 1:30pm at the Great Hall of the Alumni Memorial Hall at McMaster University (formerly the McMaster Faculty Club). In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Margaret's Place Hospice at St. Joseph's Villa in Dundas, Ontario