Marion Jean (Morash) Watts was born in her grandmother’s house in the Forties, New Ross on August 14, 1929, the first of seven children born to Gordon and Daisy (Reeves) Morash. She passed away peacefully at age 96, under the loving care of the staff of Harbour Lights Villa in the Inverary Manor, Inverness with her daughter Sandra at her side.
The dash between 1929 and 2026 encompasses a beautiful and fulfilling life. She was raised in the Windsor area of Nova Scotia and had a happy childhood with her family despite the tough economic times. She would say, “I was born during the depression, and it was a hard time, but we were always fed and clothed. Life was much simpler then; you could rent a house for $5 to $10 a month”. She was a special person who worked hard and enjoyed life. She loved her family, her friends and her community.
In the spring of 1948, Marion moved to Halifax to attend the Victoria General Hospital’s School of Nursing. She became a Registered Nurse in the spring of 1951 and began nursing at the hospital in Wolfville and later at the Polio Clinic at the Victoria General Hospital. The spring class of 1951 reunited in Halifax at the Centennial Celebration of the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing in 1990 and remained friends for the rest of their lives, organizing annual reunions as long as their health allowed. Marion outlived all of her classmates from that spring class of 1951.
One of her patients while she was a student nurse was a quiet, handsome 22–year old from Port Hood named Melvin Watts. From this humble beginning they formed a bond and were joined in marriage on July 12, 1952, husband and wife and best friends forever. They began their married life in a house that they built themselves, with the help of family, on Central Avenue, in Fairview, Halifax. Over the course of their lives, they welcomed four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
Marion was very family oriented and enjoyed visiting all of her extended family in Nova Scotia and beyond. She kept in touch with family and friends throughout her life, and loved having long, long telephone chats. Marion loved sewing, knitting, and crocheting and gifted many of her creations to her grandchildren. She was an accomplished cook and baker, regularly trying new recipes and she made a great bowl of soup! She loved to go for walks along the shoreline, on country roads, and trails.
Marion and Melvin retired full time to Marble Hill in 1990. They spent their days in their abundant vegetable and flower gardens. On Sunday they would attend St. Stephen’s-Jubilee United Church and then go off for a drive, often taking a relative or two and stopping along the way for a meal. In the Fall they would venture further taking two trips across Canada and many trips to the New England States with family. In 2007 they were named Volunteers of the Year by the Congregation of St. Stephen’s United Church in recognition of all of their hard work with the church.
After the death of her beloved husband, she was supported by family, friends, the Inverness County Home Support Society, and, for her final two years, the Inverary Manor. A very special thank you to the many family, friends and caregivers both of the Inverness County Home Support Society and the Inverary Manor for the loving care and friendship they gave mum over the years. Those loving caregivers and residents at the Harbour Lights Villa may sometimes hear Rita MacNeil’s songs echoing through the hallways and know Marion’s spirit is among those who cared so deeply about her.
Marion was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Thomas Watts in 2015; her eldest daughter, Brenda in 2025; her parents, Gordon and Daisy (Reeves) Morash; in-laws, Ernest and Annie Bell (Fraser) Watts; her sister, Eva; brothers, Edward, Beverly and Ralph.
She is survived by her children, Sandra, Ernest and Thomas; son-in-law, Colin; daughters-in-law, Kathie and Pam; grandchildren, Amanda, Courtney, Trystan (Vanessa), Breton, Ashlee, Nickolas, Katelyn (Mitch) and Jarret; great-grandchildren, Ava, Zoe, Noah, Jacob, Lucas, Levi, Jackson, Leo, Scarlett, Sienna, Dawson, and Easton; her brother, Harold; sister, Eleanor; brother-in-law, Bill Gates; sisters-in-law, Sally Watts and Coba Morash; and several nieces and nephews.
A service to remember and honor Marion will be held in St. Stephen’s United Church, Port Hood, on Friday, May 8th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Reverend Nick Phillips; reception to follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the Inverary Manor Auxiliary, St. Stephen’s-Jubilee United Church, Port Hood, or to a charity of your choice.
On-line condolences may be made to www.invernessfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements under the direction of Inverness Funeral Home.
