I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of doing a workshop in Montreal with Ora.

Un être cher vient de s'en aller. Comment exprimer par des simples mots la grande émotion et l'infinie tristesse qu'au fond de notre coeur nous ressentons. À tous les membres de la famille, nous vous présentons nos condoléances les plus sincères.

A loved one has just left. How to express in simple words the great emotion and the infinite sadness that we feel in our hearts. We offer you and the entire family our most sincere condolences.

It seems that - for many of us - the loss of a teacher brings back a flood of memories and the end of some fragile thread that we hold on to as we, her former students, also age.

I remember Mrs. Watson not just with respect and fondness, but also with some awe for both her whip-smart humour and intelligence. She will be in the hearts and minds of a generation of students who fell in love with books through her lead. Rest well.

My most sincere condolences to family and friends of Mrs. Watson. I know the last time I saw her she told me I could call her Ora but I could just not do it. I always held my teachers to the highest regard, and Mrs. Watson was one of the ones that helped me more than she knew. We had an assignment to write an essay. I believe it was on something that affected our lives or it might’ve been our choice. I chose to write about my grandfather, who took his life the year before I was in her class. I wrote from the bottom of my heart and I remember her asking me if I wanted to read it in front of the class. It took everything in me, and I didn’t think I would finish it, every now and then I just locked eyes with her and was able to finish. If I recall correctly, they were not too many dry eyes in the room. She told me, she said you never know you may have helped someone more than you know. I walked out of that class that day feeling happy that I was able to open up about it and speak about it. It was all her. She was the one on the sidelines there if I needed her and even after one semester with her, I always stayed in touch because she is that teacher. She is the one that can help ground you when you needed it. 

To her family, she was a gem. I am forever grateful to her as there are many other students lives that she has touched. She loved her job and it showed. You will have one amazing guardian angel watching over you all. Mrs. Watson, thank you for everything. Rest Easy.

Considering Ora thru the stories of her son and my friend Jay.  Picturing some of the things that had meaning for her.  Thinking of the family that held her close in their dedication and love for her.  Adding here my deep sense of shared sorrow for all those feeling the loss of her in their lives in the time to come.  Let’s remember her and all that she was.

My condolences to Ora’s family and all who knew her. She nurtured my interest in creative writing and was one of my favorite teachers. I remember a quote from T.S.Eliot that I believe she had on her wall, “Go, go, go said the bird: human kind / Cannot bear very much reality.”

My sincerest condolences. I had the privilege of being one of Ms Watson’s English students. She was so wonderfully goofy and wise. And she taught us so many valuable things beyond academia - like being able to laugh at ourselves, breathing….and avoiding birds at all costs. She was a generous woman who gave me her copy of Bleak House (the copy that I believe she used to write her dissertation). I hold this book dear, as I do so many fond memories of her 💐

My most sincere condolences to Andy, Paul, Jay, Meena and her brother Donald MacDonald on Ora’s passing. Ora’s family and mine have been friends for a very long time, and I greatly appreciate and value our friendship over the years. Ora was a lovely and very talented person, caring deeply for her family and teaching profession, taking a serious interest in good literature and showing great artistic skill in her paintings. 
She will be sadly missed by her family and the rest of us who had the privilege of knowing her.

Mrs Watson was my Writing Class teacher which quickly became my favourite! I was able to reconnect with her as an adult via the art gallery where she had some paintings and after that through Facebook. She was a wonderful teacher and an even more special human being. She will be dearly missed. My thoughts are with all of her family and friends.

My deepest sympathy to the Watson. 

It was so nice reconnecting with Ora at the pool in Dalhousie.  We had many chats to catch up since being in high school.  

RIP Ora. 

❤️

My condolences to Andy and the family. Ora was my favourite teacher in high school. She encouraged us to be creative and brave, and be ourselves. I am glad we stayed in touch over the years and visited, though it had been a few years since my last visit... I hope she knew how fond I was of her... Brandon Mitchell and I were recently talking about how much of a big influence she was on us. Love you Ora! You will be missed, but not forgotten!

This condolence message is a tough one. Bye Mrs. Watson. I'll love you forever.

Knew Ora from STU
In my year...graduated in 1971..a beautiful girl...fun..nice smile..smart..
Didn't know she was ill..
Feel bad..
Got to enjoy some of her paintings...talented too

Bob was shocked and saddened by her passing! He remembers the closeness as they discussed life and other philosophies during their time at St Thomas University!
 Linda developed a friendship with her during her painting days! She became very skilled with her paintings! 
Ora will be sorely missed! 
Bob & Linda Albert

So sorry  for your huge loss Andy - she was one of a  kind   -  sweet, kind, and a true free spirit!

I am so sorry to hear about Ora’s passing. I grew up with Ora & went to school as well as attended STU with her. She was an amazing lady. 
My deepest condolences to her family.

My Deepest Sympathies to the family! She will be greatly missed by all!!

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Watson.   She was my teacher in the late 80s and one of the classes I looked forward to the most.  She gave me my love of Shakespeare.   The only thing that was more apparent than her love of teaching was her love for her kids!  She loved to tell us stories about her kids. My sincere condolences to the Watson family.

So sorry for the loss of an incrediable teacher and person.. She  taught my girls and myself and was a  great teacher. She will be missed.

Sympathy and prayers Andy. Paul, Jay (Jesslyn) Granddaughter Meena, family and friends in Ora’s passing. Our daughter Hiedi truly loved her as an awesome teacher and mentor. We enjoyed lunch together a few times with you Andy and Ora with much laughter and conversations. She was a great artist, also. RIP fly high Ora. Heaven gained another great angel. Xoxo

My sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the loss of  Ora. I remember her  from  teaching me in grade 2. She was a wonderful English teacher. May she rest in peace and love.

Andy and family, my thoughts are with you during these trying times.  My deepest sympathies, Debbie Phillips MacKenzie

Remembering by the 
Lighthouse.Thinking of family and friends.

I have just learned of Ora’s passing,Andy. Sending my  condolences to you, your children, and all members of Ora’s family. 

Darlene McAllister- Pollock

Ms. Watson,

Thanks for being the fun teacher who allowed us to soar. 

When I see a crow I will think of you and your art. 

Rest easy. 

Charlene

Our deepest sympathy to Andy, Paul, Jay, and all her family and friends .  She will be missed also by many friends, students, and colleagues. May she rest in peace.🙏❤️                   Sincerely, Sandy and Jim MacCurdy and family.

My deepest sympathies to the family. She always had a smile and took time to ask how you were doing. She  will be missed.

My deepest sympathy to all family and friends of Ora. I remember thinking how fortunate I was to have Ora as an English teacher. She got me! We hit it off as student and teacher! I unexpectedly met her one day years ago and began to re- introduce myself when she said  my name and mentioned she remembered me well. Made my day! 
She was a fun, smart and wonderful person!

My sincere condolences to Andy, Paul and Jay. Ora was one of a kind! A lovely human full of energy and wisdom.

Mrs. Watson was that teacher. The one that leaves a lasting impact and was forever cheering you on from the sidelines. 

It has been decades since I graduated, but when I moved home recently and needed advice on teaching here, she was quick to make an itemized list for me. She also checked in periodically to see how I was doing. 

I will miss her terribly and feel so blessed to have known her. May all teachers take a page from her book by being caring and lifting students up.

Condolences to the Watson family.  I met Ora in my early years of teaching at SSHS. She was an amazing English teacher and it showed in her students.

Dear Andy and Family
We were saddened to hear of  Ora’s passing.  She was a great English teacher and painter.  Our condolences for your loss.

Mrs. Watson, Ora was my Guidance Councillor. She was always so funny and kind to everyone. My condolences to her family and friends.

From T.c. McIntyre ,  I send  my deepest condolences to Andy and family . I taught along side Ora at SSHS where she was widely known for her passion for literature and teaching.  I was so happy to get to know Ora again in our retirement years at Aquasize classes in Dalhousie, where we shared many laughs together with all the people there who will miss her very much. She spoke so highly of her boys and grand child, her painting and of course Andy.

My sincere condolences to my dear friend Jay, family and friends. You are all in my heart ❤️

So very sad to hear this news today, she was one of a kind: whip smart, funny, creative and passionate about her students. My mum thought the world of Ora as well and I have enjoyed getting to know her better as an adult.  Sincere condolences to Ora’s family and friends. What a loss.

Mrs. Watson was my favorite teacher. She challenged us to read widely, think deeply, and appreciate the power of great writing. The passion she brought to the classroom was inspiring, and it sparked a love of reading in me that has stayed with me throughout my life.  

My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all the students whose lives she touched.

To Andy and family, my deepest sympathies on Ora’s passing.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

My English teacher- one of those rare people who truly leaves a lasting impression. Over the years, I’ve met many teachers, but few have had the impact she did. She wasn’t just a great educator; she was a genuinely kind and caring person who believed in her students.

She had a way of making learning interesting and made everyone feel like they mattered. Her encouragement, patience, and passion for teaching helped shape the person I became. Long after the lessons and assignments have faded from memory, the respect and admiration I have for her remain.

Some people pass through our lives briefly, while others leave a mark that lasts forever. She was one of those people, and I will always be grateful for the influence she had on me.

Your forever Student

Nick

Mrs Watson was such a gem of a teacher.Gave space for her students to bloom and had the best smile.  She helped to ignite my love of literature.

I am heart broken at this news. We all have that one teacher that probably isn’t even aware of the impact they have on students. She was mine. She made a massive impact on me and I think of her often. My condolences to her entire family

I am so very sorry to hear of Mrs. Watson's passing. I was one of her students and always admired her both in and out of school.  My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends  May she rest in peace.

Paul and family
Our sincere sympathies-may your fond memories be of some comfort.

Our heartfelt condolences to Ora's family. I remember her as a caring and compassionate guidance counsellor who genuinely cared about her students. She touched the lives of many young people and left a impact that will not be forgotten. Keeping her family and friends in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time.

My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you Andy, Jay, Paul ,and all the family, especially her granddaughter Meena whom she talked about so frequently with me . Ora was my very special friend and we shared many wonderful stories together , both happy and sad . She reminded me to remember only the happy times as we journey on with our story . Thank you Ora for our friendship spanning over 50 years .

Ora was our guidance counsellor and a great sounding board, but more than that she saw us as individuals and treated us with respect and curiosity. I was so pleased that she was able to attend some recent reunions and fill us in on her life since retirement. My deepest sympathies to Andy and her loved ones.

OBITUARY

Ora Watson

18 June, 1949 – 10 June, 2026

Salon Funéraire Maher’s Funeral Home

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