Barbara Watt Traverse

Barbara Traverse passed peacefully on January 5, 2021 with family at her side. She was born September 27, 1930 in Randolph, MA to Charles and Mary Cunningham. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Braintree, MA where Barbara attended Sacred Heart Catholic High School. After graduating high school, she continued her education at Emmanuel College in Boston, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Biology. At this point, Barbara was encouraged by one of her professors to pursue a career in Physical Therapy and, in that effort, attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Here, she completed her post-graduate degree and certification in Physical Therapy. After finishing her education, Barbara moved to Grand Rapids, MI and, eventually, to Gonzalez, TX where she worked with polio patients, primarily children, at the renowned Warm Springs Rehabilitation. It was here that she met James Lee Watt, whom she married in 1964. They began their life together in Waco, TX and were proud parents of two children, Mary Frances and Michael James. Their careers took them to Austin, TX where they raised their children. Barbara was widowed when her children were only 4 and 6 but she persevered and managed single-parenthood and a successful career as a Physical Therapist for the Austin Independent School District. She met her second husband, Frank Traverse, at a single-parent event and they spent almost 30 years in a loving and devoted marriage until his death in 2012. Barbara and Frank loved ballroom dancing and traveling. They travelled all over the world, often embarking on trips for 2 months at a time. Barbara was an avid lover of history, particularly that of the US and UK. She had a penchant for British etiquette and formalities and demonstrated this love in her entertaining of friends and family. Barbara was also a lover and patron of the fine arts and enjoyed attending the symphony, where she ushered for years, musicals, operas, art museums, and was a member of her church choir. Barbara was a wonderful seamstress, master quilter, and painter. She had a keen eye for design and her home was always impeccably decorated for the seasons. Barbara was a devout Catholic and her faith resonated throughout all aspects of her life. She was an independent woman with unrivaled determination and, above all, extraordinary grace. Her life was intentional and well-lived and her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched in her 90 years. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Mary (and husband Mike) of Carrollton, TX; son, Michael (and wife Trang) of San Antonio, TX; step-daughter, Maria of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Kelsey (and husband Zac) of Carrollton, TX, Reid and Kate of San Antonio, TX; brother, Richard of Hudson, MA; sister, Joan of Wilmington, MA; and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved so dearly.