Janet Lee Watson

Janet Lee Watson (Foxie), 80, 2400 Hastings Rd, Hastings, MI went to be with her Lord December 1, 2016. She quietly slipped away from mortality surrounded by her surviving children, several grand-children, and great grand-children.

Born in Traverse City, MI August 24, 1936, she was a daughter of the late Melvin and Elizabeth Gray. Janet never graduated high school choosing instead to marry and have a family. She had many places of employment including Chrysler in Lyons, MI as an upholstery supervisor and delivering papers for Lansing State Journal & Detroit Free Press. Her favorite job was working as a waitress at the Scalehouse Truckstop in Ionia, MI.

She enjoyed may types of crafting & quilting projects before being partially paralyzed by a series of strokes in 2012. She loved animals and the outdoors, sharing that love with most of her family and friends. In her younger days she enjoyed riding motorcycles and travelling on weekends for CB jamborees in other states. Most especially, she enjoyed music. She played the organ, as well as the accordion after she had a few beers. She always enjoyed a good party and loved to socialize.

She was married three times and preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, Dwight Watson; 3 children, Raymond Micheal (Mike) Newcombe, Bryan Jeffrey Newcombe, and Jeffrey Bryan Newcombe; a brother, Jack Gray; grandson, Brandon Newcombe; granddaughter Amy Newcombe; step-son Steve Watson, & daughter in law Teresa Valliquette Newcombe.

Surviving are her children, Stephen Newcombe of Lake Odessa, Lawrence Newcombe of Lake Odessa, Reyne Adgate of Lake Odessa, and Heide Newcombe of Lake Odessa; grandchildren Martin Newcombe, Eric Newcombe, Charles Newcombe, Jessica Newcombe, Hannah Adgate, Caleb Adgate & Joshua Newcombe; great grandchildren Lila, Avery, Arya, Teagan & Hayden; sister Kathryn Taggart of Grand Rapids. We would also like to included he step-children, Thomas (Patricia) Watson, Sandra Frede-Watson, Sharon (Gary) Hart, Jan Isbell, Mark (Carol) Watson, Debbie (Bruce) Howell & Brian Watson; 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Janet and Dwight never considered the others children as anything except their own.

Her family would like to extend special thanks to all the staff at Thornapple Manor in Hastings, MI as well as the staff from Great Lakes Hospice. Thank you for caring for our feisty mother regardless of what her mood was. We know she could be a handful and are deeply grateful for the care and compassion you showed her.

A small graveside memorial will be planned for a later date for friends and family.

In lieu of flowers her family would like to ask those interested, to donate instead to local animal shelters in Janet’s name. Most especially, Barry County Animal Society, PO Box 386, Hastings, MI 49058.