Sandra Jane Watson

Sandra Jane Watson went home to be with Jesus on July 20, 2019.  Sandy was born September 6, 1938 in Norfolk, Virginia and graduated from Kenney High School in Methuen, MA. She and her husband, William Watson, were married on her birthday September 6, 1958. They were soon to celebrate 61 years of marriage.  Most of her marriage was spent in North Andover, Massachusetts and the final years were spent in Lady Lake, Florida and Pepperell, Massachusetts.

Sandy has 6 children, 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She was a homemaker when her children were growing up, making breakfast and bagged lunches. Her children remember that they were not allowed to leave the house without her praying for you.  Sandy loved her family and convinced her children that they could do or be anything they set their minds to. Yet, some would say her true happiness came in the form of grandchildren.  She never seemed happier than hugging and holding on to one of them.

When her children started going to college, she went to college. She received her RN from Northern Essex Community College and her BS in nursing from UMass Boston. Sandy was known to have a heart to help those who were hurting. She started as an oncology nurse and at the end of her career was a visiting nurse to those dying of AIDS.

In the 1970’s, she and her husband Bill started a Christian coffee house (Turning Point) and Christian bookstore which was packed with young adults every Saturday. They would hear Christian music and a message of Jesus Christ. Many of these adults spent time in Sandy’s home where she cared, counseled and loved on them.

Her hobbies were crossword puzzles, collecting knick-knacks (her family affectionately called “blue glass”) and buying gifts for her children and grandchildren as one of her many ways of making them feel loved and cared for.  She made sure that the person on the outside, became part of the inside.

Sandy is survived by her husband, William Watson Sr., her children: Lori (Watson) Redding and Larry Redding, Billy Watson Jr. his wife Sue, Phil Watson his wife Anne, Jimmy Watson his wife Kris, Lyn (Watson) Olsen her husband Brad, Shari (Watson) Weaver her husband David.  She is also survived by her wonderfully loved grandchildren Jessie, Jilly, Matt, Billy, Cailey, Coray, Maddie, Sammie, Gabbie, CJ, Caleb, Jake, Hannah, Grace, Sawyer, Zach and Cassie.  She also so dearly loved her great grandchildren Madelyn, Jakob, Ezra, Casey, Carter, Ellis, and soon-to-be-name baby Watson.  Also surviving her are her brother Henry (Hank) Lancaster and sister Barbara Batchelder.  While there are too many loving cousins to count, there are also a number of people and friends that would consider themselves one of Sandy’s children, who were loved by her.

Visiting hours for Sandra will be held in the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St. (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA., on August 5, 2019. from 11 AM to 1 PM, immediately followed by a funeral service. Interment following the funeral service will be private.

Mom loved flowers.