Marie Louise Watson

On 3/22/1913, in an upper room in a home in Rockford, Il, Marie Louise Weed entered the world prematurely at 3 pounds. Her first bed was a shoe box that they kept behind the wood stove to keep her warm. It has been said that when they placed a tea cup on her head, the rim touched her shoulders. She wasn’t able to keep any milk down, so the doctor ordered Bavarian Buttermilk. Even at an early age, she was a survivor. She was the eldest of 3 children.

She had a brother, Jim, 2 years younger, and sister, Charlotte, 16 years younger.

Marie spent her formative years in Rockford, Il. She attended grade school, junior high school and high school in Rockford. She was in the 1st graduating class of the new high school, Abraham Lincoln High School, her father, who was a contractor, helped to build. During the great depression, the family lost everything and at age 17, Marie’s parents decided to move the family to Washington State, where her father was originally from, in hope of finding work.

She adjusted to life

Marie’s first job was at Harborview Hospital as a dietician’s assistant. Preparing patient trays and delivering them to their rooms. Marie had made friends with a girl named Evelyn Watson, who also worked at Harborview. Evelyn’s mother, Pearl Watson, offered Marie a room in her home. Evelyn introduced Marie to Denver Watson, her brother, and they were married on 7/20/1935.

Daughter, Barbara Jean Watson was born 8/24/1936. Motherhood began.

Marie opened her own book store in Seattle in 1938. She often referred to this as her favorite job. She loved to read and she enjoyed serving customer’s tea and cookies. Then during WW2 she worked at the Todd Shipyard.

September 7, 1945, son Rodney Lee Watson was born.

The families early years were spent in Seattle High Point area. In 1950, the family moved to Fall City, WA. They lived on Raging River in a home named “Shady Acres”. Marie had a vegetable garden she loved and attended. She was also a member of the “Rebecca” society of Fall City.

While living in Fall City, Marie worked in sales at the Frederick and Nelson store, a pharmacy in Bellevue and a pharmacy in Issaquah.

She accepted life

Around 1964, empty nesters sold “Shady Acres” and moved to Robinswood Bellevue, WA and remained there for several years. From here they moved to Friendly Village in Redmond, WA.

After her husband, Denver’s, death, Marie moved into Emma McRedmond Senior home in Redmond, WA. until she went to live with her daughter in Arizona. After complications from hip surgery, Marie went into assisted living facility.

She returned to Washington to live with her son in 2010 for 6 months until it became necessary for her to go into an assisted living facility.

She adapted to life

Marie enjoyed playing bingo, playing cards, and travel. She was always ready for a cruise. She loved her family and the extended families that joined her over the years. The only time she was heard to complain was on a trip to her son’s place in Eastern Washington for the 4th of July weekend. When told they were leaving a day early to return home, she replied, “Good! The service here is terrible”.

She appreciated life

Marie loved life………………She set a good example for us to follow, you must be able to…..

Adjust

Accept

Adapt

Appreciate

We will miss her bright eyes and beautiful smile.