Mrs. Ilene Patricia Ilene Patson Watts

(nee PATSON)

April 23, 1929 - May 17, 2012

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother after a 13 year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She died peacefully at Lion's Personal Care Centre surrounded by the love of her family. Ilene was predeceased by her husband Ralph, parents Andrew and Ann Patson and brother Harold (Paddy) Patson. She is survived by daughter Pat Watts Stevens and her sons Chris McDonald (Lisa Dziedzic) and Andrew McDonald and by her son Rick Watts (Janet Kastellanos and children Alexa, Nicholas and Andreas). Ilene was born in Winnipeg and attended St. John's High School. She was a major sports fanatic who fell in love with the love of her life, her basketball coach, Ralph Watts. They married in 1951 and had 36 wonderful years together until his death in 1987. She was a fund raiser for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, volunteer for the Children's Hospital, and worked with Ralph to help build Fabris Watts Ltd. They raised their children on Weaver Bay in St. Vital and spent every summer at their cottage at Moose Lake. They loved life, travelled extensively, golfed together and from day one were season ticket holders for the Winnipeg Jets. They were best friends. She was a caring and generous mother and a doting grandmother to Christopher and Andrew. A private burial will take place at Green Acres Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved Ralph. A Celebration of Ilene's Life will be held on Tuesday, June 5 at the Niakwa Country Club, 620 Niakwa Road, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our thanks to the exceptional caregivers at Lion's Personal Care Home. We will be eternally grateful for the compassion, respect and tenderness you always showed Mom and our family during the five years she made Lion's her home. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba or the Winnipeg Humane Society.