Carol A Watson

Was born on December 4, 1925 in Kaukauna, WI and left this world on February 18 from her home in McKinleyville, CA and the arms of her family. Her bravery, sweetness, faith, and compassion for others were with her to the end. Carol was born to Dr. Edward A. and Evangeline LaFond Mayer. As the tenth and last child, she was the apple of everyone's eye. She graduated from Kaukauna High School and studied nursing for two years before marrying Harry Jarvais Watson in 1950. Carol and Harry lived in Madison, WI while Harry completed his degree. They made homes in Newark, NJ, Grand Rapids, MI, and Cleveland, Ohio before settling in LaCrosse, WI in a neighborhood of other young families, some of whom Carol had kept in touch with throughout life. The family moved to Citrus Heights, CA in 1965. There, Carol raised their five children, volunteered for their schools, her church, and at Mercy Hospital. In 1972 she went to work at Montgomery Wards and made friends with everyone she met. After their five children left home, Harry and Carol enjoyed traveling, playing scrabble, and delighted in their grandchildren. When Harry became ill, Carol retired from Wards to care for him. Harry died in 1998. They had been married for 48 years. Carol moved to McKinleyville, CA in 2005 to be closer to her four daughters. She lived at Timber Ridge and enjoyed many friendships with neighbors and staff members. Wherever Carol lived, she made friends for life. Throughout Carol's life, she loved nothing more than her family. She was the best mom and grandma anyone could wish for. She loved to laugh and brought her sparkle to any gathering. She had the ability to genuinely care about everyone she met. She could learn a new person's story in a short time, and remember what was important to that person. She was "ever mindful of the needs of others." Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Vange Proper, Cletus, Colette, Robert and Edward Mayer, Corinne Hyde, Charlotte Mayo and Patricia McCarty; her husband Harry, and their infant son Jeffrey. She will be greatly missed by her family: son Tom Watson and his wife Barbi of Sacramento, CA; her four daughters and their husbands: Deborah Watson and Michael Bickford of Arcata, CA, Jenny and Dr. John Sullivan also of Arcata, Stefanie Watson and Jodie Harriel, and Harriet Watson and Brian Lovell, all of McKinleyville, CA; her grandchildren: Kevin and his wife Dani Watson; Steve Watson; Katherine and Matt Bickford; Isaac, Peter and Laura Sullivan; Otis Harriel; Grace and Nora Lovell; her sister Joan and husband George Grogan of Santa Rosa, CA; her cousin Evangeline "Punky" Stoeger, and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Christ the King Church in McKinleyville, CA, on Saturday, February 26, 2011. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Humboldt at 2010 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation of, and gratitude to, first and foremost, the outstanding caregivers and staff of Timber Ridge in McKinleyville, who became Carol's friends. They also thank Hospice of Humboldt, Dr. Gambin, and Dr. Lee and their staffs. Arrangements under the direction of Paul's Chapel, Arcata, CA 707-822-2445, www.paulschapel.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on February 27, 2011