Eugenie WATSON

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WATSON: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Eugenie (Jean) Audrey Watson (nee Fleming) at Morley House, Shoal Lake, Manitoba, on September 23, 2014. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Garry (Louise) Watson and Dale (Roberta) Watson, grandchildren Cheryl (Marcel) Chamberland, Christopher (Jaimie) Watson, Lana (Ken) Watson and Dane (Jennifer) Watson; great-grandchildren Bailey, Grace, Ashleigh, Hawksley, Juliet and Dade. Also left to cherish her memory is her sister Ada Fleming, brother Jack Fleming, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Donald, her son Dennis, and her parents Pearl and Ernest Fleming. Jean was born March 25, 1924 at the family farm north of Crandall, MB. She attended school in Crandall and after graduation worked as a telephone operator in Crandall. She met Don Watson who was in town working for the CPR Bridge & Building crew – he needed a tennis racket to play with a co-worker and found out Jean had one so he asked to borrow it. “The rest is history” as the expression goes. Jean and Don were married on June 21, 1945 at the Fleming farm and moved into the CPR Pump House on the Little Saskatchewan River 5 miles north of Newdale to raise their family. However, technology changed their plans when the CPR replaced the stationary, diesel engine with an electric motor in the pump house. They bought the pool room and barber shop from Hugh Thompson in Newdale and Don converted the west half of the building into living quarters for the family. Here they stayed until 1992 when they sold the pool room and moved into a “real” house in the north-west part of town. Jean worked in the post office from 1964 until 1982, being post mistress for the latter (approx.) 10 years. She was a Charter member of the Raven’s Glen W.I. and the U.C.W. for many years. Jean enjoyed her vegetable garden and her flowers (esp. the tiger lilies and the sweet peas) and knitting for family and the Red Cross. One of her favorite activities was being “Santa's Helper” every November and December answering children's letters to Santa that flowed into the Post Office. Don & Jean enjoyed many years of square dancing all over Manitoba, playing “500” and cribbage with family and friends and traveling often in Western Canada. They were the only couple we knew who would pack up their golf clubs on Thursday evening and not come home till Sunday night. Many trips were made to Winnipeg, Brandon and surrounding areas attending baseball games, dance recitals and curling championships to support her children and grandchildren. The Manitoba Senior Baseball League teams were also a favourite Jean always offered her time and energy to help out her family with babysitting, painting, planting gardens and anything else that she was capable of doing. Her chocolate cakes, iced with that awesome icing, were the best and enjoyed by all. Family gatherings were always special for her – she was proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and supported them in every way possible. Jean will be sorely missed by her family, relatives and many friends. A funeral/celebration of life will be held in Newdale United Church on Tuesday, Sep.30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a light lunch at the Newdale Community Hall. A private interment for the immediate family will take place prior to the funeral/celebration of life. Her family would like to thank the staff at Morley House for the excellent care they have provided for Jean during the past 7 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 30, 2014