Texas Woman’s University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Frances "Francie" Baxter, PhD, OT, FAOTA.

Baxter joined the Texas Woman’s University faculty in 1995, where she served the institution and the profession with distinction for nearly three decades. She served as the associate director of the School of Occupational Therapy on the Houston Campus and later became emeritus faculty.

At TWU, Baxter taught an extensive range of courses across all levels of occupational therapy education and served as chair or committee member on numerous master's theses and doctoral dissertations. Her mentorship guided countless novice researchers, strengthening the profession through her commitment to developing future scholars.

Baxter was a dedicated leader in occupational therapy, serving the American Occupational Therapy Association as Speaker of the RA, Texas Representative Assembly member, including service on the Executive Council. She was deeply involved in the Texas occupational therapy community through the Texas Occupational Therapy Association and the Texas Occupational Therapy Foundation.

A neuroscientist, educator, and mentor, Baxter was committed to advancing the integration of neuroscience, the arts, and occupation, encouraging learners to bridge science and creativity in meaningful ways. Her mentorship resulted in numerous student presentations and scholarly works and influenced many student theses and dissertations. Her legacy lives on through the students and colleagues she inspired.

Baxter earned her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Technology in Occupational Therapy from TWU, and authored numerous textbook chapters that continue to shape the education of occupational therapy students nationwide.