Mabel R. Watson, 93, of Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away June 19 at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center from complications of a broken hip and old age. She had moved into the private residence of her dear friend and caregiver, JoAnn McAdams in November 2006. She was competent and alert until her rapid end.
She was born Mabel Elizabeth Robinson in Pemaquid on Nov. 14, 1913.
She married Andrew Watson in 1937 and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono.
She taught in the Augusta school system during the 1960s and 70s. They retired in 1973 and moved to Zephyrhills, Fla. while maintaining a summer home in Pemaquid and a camp on Salmon Lake in Belgrade until the 90s. They continued to visit annually until 1999. Her husband of 67 years, Andrew, died in 2004.
The things she loved most in life were her family, gardening, teaching and a good laugh.
She is survived by her son, Lindsay Watson and wife Cheryl of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Kathryn Riley and husband Richard of Trilby, Fla.; grandchildren, Michael Watson of Wesley Chapel, Fla., Laurie Kight of Dallas, Tex., and Nicolas Riley of Boston, Mass.; and great-grandchildren, Zackary, Justin, Olivia, and Henry.
A memorial service is planned for July in Maine with interment of her ashes at the family plot in Pemaquid.
Family condolences may be sent to Kathryn Riley, P.O. Box 6, Trilby, FL 33593.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mabel’s name to the Zephyrhills Garden Club, c/o Elizabeth Geiger, President, P.O. Box 307, Zephyrhills, FL 33539 of the Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills, FL 33540.
