Jane Preston Watson

Jane Preston Watson, aged 94 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30, 2014 at her place of residence in Sarasota, Florida, with family and caregivers in attendance. The cause of death was Alzheimer's disease. Mrs. Watson had lived in Sarasota for the past 12 years. Prior to moving to Sarasota, she lived in Gasparilla Island, FL, where she and her husband, Stuart D. Watson had built a home, in Tolland, MA and in West Hartford, CT. Jane Augusta Preston was born January 7, 1920 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Lou Bratton Preston and Reverend Dr. Paul Gordon Preston. She had two older brothers, Wendell and Robert. Her Father was a Pastor in the Christian Church, and from 1912 until 1932 the family moved about every two years, as his workplace changed, living in Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Colorado. By the time Jane began high school, her parents were living again in Indiana, where she graduated in 1936 from Shortridge High School, Indianapolis, and subsequently in1940 from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. For the first 40 years of Jane's life, she returned regularly to Angola, Indiana, to visit family, and to the Preston cottage at nearby Lake James. Steuben County, Indiana was the home of several generations of Prestons and Brattons and a consistent home base in family life. Jane Preston and her husband to be, Stuart Watson, met at DePauw University in 1936 and were married at her parents' home in Indianapolis, IN on November 23, 1940, following her college graduation. They started married life in South Bend, Indiana, and then, like many of their generation moved along to Army bases, or lived with family during WWII to accommodate Stuart's service in the Armed Forces. While Stuart was stationed in the Philippine Islands, Jane lived with her in-laws, Lois and Dade Watson, in Springfield, Illinois, tending her first child, working fulltime, and helping produce food in a Victory Garden. Following WW II, Stuart Watson's advancement in a career of marketing, merchandising and business management moved the Watson family to Chicago and later Park Ridge, Illinois; Racine, Wisconsin; New Canaan, Connecticut; and West Hartford, Connecticut. Jane was the fearless homemaker who kept these transitions organized and home life enjoyable! The Watsons raised a family of four children, Beth, Sarah, Stephen, and Margaret. As Stuart built a formidable business career, Jane supported him as an advisor, hostess, and wife, while also managing the family home and the kids. As a Mother she maintained a lively sense of humor, and a pragmatic approach to problem solving. While her family was growing up she was an involved parent, a girl scout leader, American Field Service student exchange host, a field and track Mom, a school volunteer and child chauffeur; always present to cheer her children along as they grew. She cared for her immediate and extended family with love and thoughtfulness; and her respect and concern for Margaret, born with developmental disabilities, comforted and challenged the rest of the Watson Family. Mrs. Watson dearly loved her grandchildren and they were welcomed and celebrated in her homes. She enjoyed travel, opera, popular music and operetta, theatre, reading, crossword puzzles and spending time with family and friends. For many years she was an enthusiastic fly fisherman, traveling with Stuart to Alaska, Iceland, Oregon, Wyoming, and Canada. Her favorite views were those provided at sunset by Noyes Pond and the Gulf of Mexico. Jane was a supportive Alumna of DePauw University. She and Stuart took an active role in shaping New England Village, in Pembroke, MA, Margaret's home for over 30 years. While living in the Greater Hartford area Jane was a volunteer at Hartford Hospital and for Connecticut Opera; and she was a member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. While she lived on Gasparilla Island, she was an active member of the Boca Grande Woman's Club and a member of the Methodist Church and The Boca Grande Club. Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Stuart; a daughter Margaret; daughter-in-law, Susan W. Watson; her parents, Lou and Paul Preston; her in-laws, Lois and Dade Watson; her brothers, Wendell and Robert Preston; and niece, Joan P. Cerstvik. She is survived by daughters, Beth W. Noujaim (Khalil), Sarah W. DeCew (Charles Blanchard) and son, Stephen H. Watson (Elizabeth), and former son-in-law, Sperry A. DeCew; by Grandchildren, Catherine M. Noujaim, Jehane P. Noujaim (Karim Amer), Amy A. DeCew, Stuart M. DeCew (Amanda), Brittany E. Blankenship, Stephanie A. Blankenship, Clayton S. Watson; and Great-Grandson, Bradley S. DeCew; as well as, sister-in-law, Ann C. Preston, nephews, Philip, Paul, and George Preston, and nieces Marilyn Romine and Emily Bortz and their respective families. The Watson Family would like to thank the community of Sarasota caregivers who have assisted and nurtured Jane throughout her long illness, particularly Maryann, Colette, Marisol and Cindi. A graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held to honor Jane in mid-August at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan, CT. The family invites contributions in her memory to Granville-Tolland Dollars for Scholars, Jane and Stuart Watson Fund, an endowed scholarship fund for post high school education. Information on this fund may be found on the web at www.granville-tolland.dollarsforscholars.org.