Mary Catherine Roberts Massirer, B.A. ’06

Mary Catherine Roberts Massirer, B.A. ’06, M.A. ’62, of Crawford, TX, passed away Dec. 18, 2022.

Massirer was born May 22, 1939, in Waco to Dorothy Denny Roberts and Sam C. Roberts of Moody, TX. She was raised in Moody and attended school there, graduating at the top of her class in 1957. She attended TCU for a year before transferring to Baylor to complete her degree with a major in English. Massirer went on to earn a master’s degree from Baylor as well. She met Van Massirer while still in high school, and she and her family encouraged him to enroll at Baylor as well. She and Van married in June 1958 and enjoyed over 64 years of marriage and all the adventures that go along with it. Van was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 1962, and their assignments and travels took them to various places around the world, including Peshawar, Pakistan. Their daughter, Laura, was born while they lived in San Angelo, TX, and their son, Philip, was born two years later while they were stationed in Maryland. While Van was in the service, Massirer taught English classes for San Angelo College, Howard Payne University and University of Maryland.

In 1966, Massirer began a 38-year career of teaching English composition and literature courses at Baylor, and she developed the technical writing program. She served as a Commencement Marshal for many years. She enjoyed being a faculty advisor during summer orientation. She was elected to the Faculty Senate and served on numerous departmental and university committees over the years. 

Massirer was a lifelong learner and had a special interest in the Spanish language. She participated in study trips to Mexico and regularly sat in on classes taught by colleagues. She also enjoyed teaching English as a second language. She was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for many years, serving on the church council and the pastoral call committee. Massirer played piano, church organ and was very adept at a number of creative hobbies such as crocheting, knitting and baking. She and Van enjoyed several international trips to destinations such as Europe, British Isles, Scandinavia, Mexico and Canada.