Mary Marie Watkins

Mary was born as Mary Marie Plate on September 9th, 1922 at Ord Nebraska. Here parents were ranchers. She was the second oldest of two brothers and a sister. She is survived by her younger brother, Rudy, currently in Grand Island Nebraska and as far as I know her sister Shirly (17 years younger) in Greely Colorado. She is also survived by my Son, her grandson, Scott as well as his Son, Kai both residents of Shoreline WA.

Mary has described her life as growing up on a Nebraska ranch, which included riding a horse with her brothers to a one room school. She described the stable at the school to be much better then the school house. During the summers, when she was old enough, she would be sent out to tend the sheep, with a horse, dog and lunch – I think a book may have been included.

During the depression she describes her family going into town with farm produce, which was distributed freely to those in need.

For her last years in High School Mary was sent to Ottumwa Iowa, where she graduated in 1940. Following graduation she entered into employment at a plant, which would become a defense plant in Des Moines, Iowa where she worked in the payroll department. While in Des Moines, she met, at a dance her husband to be – Thomas Watkins. Tom was in Navy training at the time. They were married shortly thereafter, date I do not know.

During WW II Tom and Mary were physically separated. She lived with his parent in Pennsylvania while he was in the Navy in Hawaii working at the Navy’s Aircraft Engine Repair and Overhaul Shop. Tom prior to joining the Navy was a trained A & P technician, (Airframe and Power Plant). During this period of time Mary delivered a son who died shortly after birth.

After the War, they were together with residence close to her parents in Nebraska. Their 2nd child, Margo was born in Nebraska on August 18th, 1946. From there, they moved to Laramie Wyoming, where Tom attended the University of Wyoming and obtained his BS in Mechanical Engineering using the GI bill. Mary to my knowledge principle task at that time was taking care of the family.

After college for Tom the family moved several times from one Engineering Job to another. I believe that this included Eire PA, Schenectady NY, San Diego CA and finally to Arizona. In 1956 they bought the home they would live in, in Scottsdale AZ, until Mary moved in with me in 2010. Her husband died in early 2009.

While in Arizona, Mary obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Arizona State University in Education. She taught primarily the 6th grade for the Isaac District in Phoenix. She retired from that district, not sure what year.

Mary was an avid quilter. She did one quilt that included figures for all of the Indian Kachina dolls for the Native tribes in Arizona. This quilt was offered to and accepted by the Arizona Historical Museum. See inserted photo below:

She was also an avid person doing needle point, of which I have several hanging on my walls.

Mary and Tom were also into antiques. Tom collected antique clocks while Mary had a collection of glass ware as well as pickle castors. They would take their truck and camper around the country visiting various auctions as well as dealer. They themselves became dealers.

I met Mary’s daughter, Margo at a Friday evening dance in Phoenix on December 26th, 1969. These dances sponsored by a club called “The Fifth Day”, which rotated between establishment every Friday evening in both Phoenix and Scottsdale. Shortly thereafter I met Mary. Margo & I were married on March 28th, 1970 at the Chapel at Williams AFB, with the reception at Mary’s and Tom’s residence.

On June 18th, 1972 Mary’s one and only Grandson was born, while Margo and I were living in Del City Oklahoma. This date for that year landed on Father’ Day. Mary and Tom were in attendance.

Mary with her grandson Scott taken in Margo’s and my home – Del City OK.

I became personally involved with Mary after her Husband Tom died in 2009. For sometime she had been suffering from mild dementia. I bought a home in Metro Phoenix, Desert Hills area in July 2010 with a Casita where Mary lived with me as her care giver. We did some traveling together back to Idaho. She also attended Church with me, UU Surprise. While with me Mary would walk independently as well as make friends with the horses next door to me. She had a tender spot for horses going back to her growing up on a ranch in Nebraska. I would provide meals, laundry, etc. for her, and we would watch TV together in the evening. We also had a pool, which I thought she would use as she had been going to water aerobics while living in Scottsdale. I was wrong, she went to the Scottsdale pool to Socialize.

In February 2014, it became necessary for her to have more care than I was able to provide, thus entering her into Huger Mercy Living Center in Phoenix. Huger Mercy was an excellent place for her as it emphasizes socialization as well as has a four and a half acre fenced area where the residence are able to walk around in. One thing that Mary had to have was her morning paper, which I made sure that she received. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic I was unable to see her except for one time. At that time the Center had been COVID free for two months and had established a glassed off meeting area.

Mary will be missed.