Mary Ellen Watson

Mary Ellen (Meiners) Watson 92 of Overland Park, KS passed away August 8, 2020. She was proceeded in death by her husband , John (Dick) Watson, daughter Paula, grandson Michael Edward Watson, parents Arthur & Helen Meiners, sister Barbara Sharkey and brother Authur (Chuck) Meiners. She is survived by her sister Janet Potter, many nieces and nephews.

She has left to carry on her spirit with her children Cathy (Grabb) & Thomas Kennedy, Steve & Judy Watson, Ed & Debby Watson, Tom & Chris Watson, Patty (Watson) & Tim Stoetzer and Bob Watson; grandchildren Mike Grabb, Shane (Shanna) Kennedy, Taylor Stoetzer, Brock Stoetzer, Rachel (Watson) & Robert Johnson, Miranda Watson, Catie Watson, Gracey Stoetzer and Jenny Watson; and great grandchildren Robert (Jr), Reece, Daylin, Maeva and Remington and Kolten.

Graveside services will be Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Rd., Raytown, MO at 11:00 am.

Mary Ellen was born January 31, 1928. She has outsmarted villains, braved blizzards and even tornadoes, championed children, put the needs of others above herself, took many a gamble and won, laughed in the face of darkness and managed to dance through it all. Although the description conjures up the likes of a female superhero, in reality, it’s Mary Ellen Meiners Watson who is defined here.

She loved to tell her story of early days and working in her daddy’s store Art Meiners Market. Mary Ellen was proud of her family name, Meiners. Mary Ellen lost her mother early in life at the age of 12 and being the oldest of four she would take on the role of big sister and protector (mother role). Her family home was at 4108 Campbell, one of the two addresses she would always be able to remember even in the last years of her life. While attending Loretto Academy she made nine lifelong friends that called themselves The Mighty Nine. It was also at Loretto where her love of dance started, dancing in many musicals. She would say dance was her life even dreaming one day she would be a Rockette. Mary Ellen would go on to take a job with Hallmark Cards where she worked as a supervisor for five years. She would be proud to say in those days only men were supervisors, she was the only female. During her Hallmark days a guy named John (Dick) Watson came into her life. After five long years of dating they were married on August 30, 1952. Going on and having seven children and a few more moves the second address she was still be able to tell you is 5732 Cherry St. She loved raising her children on that block. It would result in lifelong friendships and some great memories. Between her bridge games with the St. Francis group and her many bingo outings (playing up to 30 cards at a time) her trips to Ak-Sar-Ben horse racing track (where she did win a big one) and during her last years of life, her bunko games with some of those same St Francis gals she so loved, The Cherry Street neighborhood brought her and her family a lot of good times.

She loved to brag about all her kids and grandchildren, very proud of each and every one of them.

Always upbeat and ready to go, her energy and positive attitude she carried throughout her life shines through in the ones she leaves behind. What a gift that is!

Taking her strong faith with her to join Dick we know she will be up using her legs again, doing something she’s really missed, dancing!