Doris Ann Watson

Doris Watson was born April 23, 1960, in Minot, North Dakota. Her dad was a foreman for the Chicago Bridge and Iron company. He built water towers so their family moved around with the jobs until she was 7. At that time the family settled in Rosebush, MI. Her dad, James A. Watson, was the best dad a girl could hope for. He passed away from cancer in 2009. She missed him everyday since then. Her mom, Elayne Watson, is a great mom who lives in Rosebush, MI. Doris had an awesome childhood. She never knew that some didn't have that same luxury until high school. Doris had some wonderful accolades over her lifetime. Her first would be her awesome, funny, and caring children, Erica, Raquel, Meagan, and Troy. Erica is a kind hearted, hard working respectable woman. Doris loved her so. Plus, Erica and her husband John live in Mt. Pleasant, MI and gave Doris three beautiful and awesome granddaughters, Elle Rose, Emme Raquel, and Elyse Renee. These girls made Doris laugh and made it so very easy for her to have loved them with all her heart. Calling nearly every day, "Hey Gam, what's going on?" or Emme calling with a new riddle to answer. Raquel and her husband, Kyle Norman live in St. Johns, MI. Raquel is such a sweet, tender-hearted person whom she loved with all her heart. Raquel and Kyle gave Doris three of the cutest little guys you would ever see, Luke James, Joshua Kyle, and Zachary Dewit. These boys are such boys saying, "Hey Gammy, want to watch me on my quad!?" Doris loved them with all her heart. Doris' third daughter is Meagan Packer from Mt. Pleasant, MI. She too has a heart of gold. Meagan gave birth to Jemma Rayann, a talkative, fun-loving granddaughter. She loved them with all her heart. Doris' sons in-law, John and Kyle, are the greatest as they tolerated Doris and her "open mouth and anything comes out disease" that she had for many years. There were plenty of laughs along the path and Doris thanks them. Last, but not least, is the "baby" of my group, Troy Watson Packer and his (soon-to-be) wife, Claire, of Beal City, MI. Doris shared a bond with Troy. It was common for Doris to tell Troy, "You're my favorite son" to which Troy would reply, "I know momma, and I am your only son." He was born on Doris' 33 ^rd birthday and was the best birthday gift she ever received. Doris loved him so very much! She proclamaimed that Claire is going to be a perfect wife for Troy as she understood Doris' sense of humor, which could be a hard one to digest. Greatest achievement number two for Doris would have to be her nursing career. She loved it completely… well, getting barfed on wasn't easty to love! Doris was employed as a  nurse for 15 years in the labor and delivery unit at Central Michigan Community Hospital. It was a great place to work and the people she worked with were equally great. She spent another five years in management, but preferred the patient contact. So began her pursuit of a master's degree in Science and Nursing with a major of Family Nurse Practitioner which she completed in 2009. After becoming board certified, Doris worked alongside Dr. Tamara Moutsatson at CMCH. She was a great mentor who taught Doris so much. A year later she took a job at the Veteran's Administration of Saginaw, working at the outpatient clinic in Bad Axe, MI eventually transferring to the Clare, MI VA. She truly enjoyed working with the veterans. Her heart went out to all of them. Doris could empathize the pain that each soldier felt after being drafted at 18 or 19 years of age and being sent to Vietnam. She could barely comprehend how their path through life was changed by force, and couldn't imagine how scared each might have been after being dropped off in some forest in a foreign country which they knew nothing about. Doris had special veteran patients that kept in touch with her after the diagnosis of her cancer. Doris appreciated and so enjoyed the many conversations, lunches, and many prayers that were sent her way (Stan and Jan Sucowsky, Frank and James Shrot, and Mary Knap). Doris adored the hummingbirds that graced her yard and enjoyed stain glass art and knitting. A bit of a procrastinator like her father, some projects took years to finish! In August 2019, Doris officially retired due to her health. Adjusting to a life without a job was a tough one! Doris wouldn't have been able to cope with this horrendous disease of cancer without her children, grandchildren, mom, baby brother (Guy Watson who shared her sense of humor – which is scary), special cousins, Chris Gohlke of Midland, Gayle Giacometti and Angie Skiba of East Detroit, sister in-law, Shelly Watson of Mt. Pleasant, special friends, Shelley Maney of Mt. Pleasant, Jan Fortino of Big Rapids, Sally Beason, Florence Kavanagh, Bobbie Roe, all of Mt. Pleasant, Sandy Dean of Rockford, Patty Zuker of Mt. Pleasant, Shawn Testa of Owosso, Mike McGraw of Atlanta, GA, special nieces, Christa Watson of Nashville, TN, Jamie Watson of Minneapolis, MN, Nephew, and Joe Watson of Rosebush, MI. These are the beloved people that texted, called and visited (sometimes daily). Doris loved them all for that dedication and that friendship was so much fun! Doris had two co-workers that eased her into retirement, all the while staying in contact and checking on her wellbeing. The phone calls or lunch or raspberry beer at Mountain Town were a unique way to talk shop. Dr. Michael Deaton and LPN Catrina Culver both made Doris' days at the Clare VA fun. Mike tolerated her gum chewing (which was no easy task since they shared an office) while Catrina kept her focused and shared a special, humurous bond. Doris' journey has ended with no regrets. If you knew Doris very well then you know she didn't live the "traditional" way. Along with her children, Doris shared many good times and laughs. She remembers them all, especially when Raquel beat Troy at battleship, or, during the famous kickball games, when Erica actually took third base with her to home plate so that she wouldn't get "out". A campfire was the best time to let the grandbabies burn marshmallows (which Doris clamed to like – uggh!), Kyle built great campfires, and John loved the quilted jacket Doris made, which he can now be the proud owner. Doris' grandbabies knew how much she loved the moon and they would walk in the dark at the lake so she could show them how beautiful it was. She recalls counting fireflies or trying to catch one to watch it light up before letting it go. Zachary didn't like the "nakes" (worms) but Emme, Elyse, and Josh were great fisher kids, catching some nice ones which were thrown back into the lake. Elle, the eldest, liked watching out for the little ones and she can watersurf like no other. Luke and Jemma were the gold medalists at swimming. Doris concludes, "I am thankful for all of the life I had. What a bummer it got cut short. Peace and happiness to all. Be kind. The world needs it now." Doris Watson, 60, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Monday, October 26, 2020, at her home with her family by her side. Doris' family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28 at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home. Her funeral will begin at 5 p.m. with Father Don Henkes officiating. A meal will follow in Lincoln Reception Center. Doris will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund, 1221 South Dr., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To read more about Doris' life story, leave a condolence for the family, or to sign the online guest book please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.