Pamela Jeanne Watson

The world got a little less bright on the morning of April, 5, 2023 with the unexpected passing of Pamela J. Watson, 57, of Lynn. Despite several serious health issues, Pam’s positivity, compassion, and wicked sense of humor shone through in virtually every interaction she had.

Born in Lynn, to Donald and Jeanne Watson on April, 15, 1965, Pam was the third child of an eventual family of six. Outnumbered by their four brothers, Pam and her sister Diane Watson Mahoney formed a strong bond which lasted their entire lives. Pam graduated from Lynn English High School, class of 1983, after which she worked at Union Hospital in Lynn in the housekeeping department. Pam’s passion for life and willingness to explore led to her living at various times in Oceanside, CA, Riverside, CA, and her cherished Kanehoe Bay on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. In later years, Pam settled back to her hometown of Lynn, MA where she was surrounded by family, friends, her adoring cat Gertrude, and her beloved Boston Bruins.

Following her graduation from high school and subsequent travels, Pam never lost sight of her long-standing goal to earn her nursing degree and make a true impact on others. Despite mounting heath concerns, Pam re-enrolled in Nursing School with hopes of finally obtaining her degree. Pam chipped away at her classes and requirements over the years while working as a Pharmacy Technician at CVS. Pam earned her cherished R.N. status in 2000 following her graduation, at the top of her class no less, from Salem State University.

Pam soldiered on, to the best of her physical abilities, to not let her health issues define her. Pam worked at three local hospitals, as well as a stint in private home health care. She played an active role in the lives of her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and friends. Pam refused to let her disabilities define her and constantly sought a way to make a difference. Even as her health declined and her ability to perform on site nursing functions lessened, Pam found a way to use her skills through volunteer work with the Special Olympics. Pam cherished the time she was able to spend with the Special Olympics athletes, with the small hope that she had helped make a difference.

Pam is predeceased by her mother, Jeanne N. Watson, brothers John M. and Michael J. Watson, her niece Katelynn M. Mahoney, and her long-term partner David Ryback. She is survived by her father, Donald B Watson, Sr; her sister, Diane M. Mahoney and her children Matthew and Richard Mahoney, Jr. and Pam’s grandniece Lillian Mahoney; her brother Thomas P. Watson and his wife Antoinette Watson and their children Thomas and Christopher Watson; and her brother Donald B. Watson, Jr., his wife Maureen Watson and their daughter Grace Watson.

Upon the announcement of her passing, hundreds of friends on social media shared interactions – some substantial, many of the day to day variety – where Pam’s unwavering positivity and kindness made a true impact on whomever she interacted with. She had an uncanny ability to make someone feel that they were the most important person that Pam knew when they communicated. Pam would have loved the outpouring of anecdotes about the impact she had on others. Pam left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

The Watson family asks, in Pam’s memory, that each of you simply share positivity and encouragement to someone who needs it. Pam’s legacy will be the ability of those who knew and loved Pam to continue to pay forward, as frequently as possible, the kindness and compassion that was such a part of Pam’s life.

A brief graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park at 11:00am. The family will consider having a gathering of Pam's closest friends at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider donating to The Special Olympics of Massachusetts, www.specialolympicsma.org.