WILBRAHAM: Barbara Eileen (Jacobs) Watson, 81, (1934 – 2015) passed away Friday, 11/20 at Orchard Valley of Wilbraham, MA. She was born, and grew up, in Windsor MA on January 4, 1934 to the last Middleton “Mid” R. Jacobs and Mildred L. (Berry) Jacobs. She lived most of her life in Huntington with her husband of 54 years James (Jim) F. Watson, who died in 2005. In 2000 they moved to Woodland Terrace Condominiums in Westfield and the last 3 years she led an active life at The Arbors Assisted Living in Westfield.
Barbara leaves behind two loving daughters, Linda Dawley of Cottonwood, AZ and her husband Michael of FL, and Eileen Watson and her husband Bob Goewey and granddaughter, NeelieGoewey of Huntington, MA. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her 4 siblings: Phyllis Allen of Dalton, MA, Isabel Fenton of Agawam, MA, Richard “Bud” Jacobs of Windsor MA, and Frances Stevens of Cummington MA. Over the years she worked as a cashier for Fanny Farmer Candy and the old Market Basket grocery store in Huntington. She was also a nurse’s aide at Mountain View and Westfield Manor Nursing Homes and was co-owner (with her husband) of Jim’s Paint and Wallpaper store in Westfield. In her free time she enjoyed growing flowers and working in the garden, sewing, listening to George Strait and Dean Martin tunes, making crafts, shopping with friends at tag sales or treating a friend to lunch. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and being a grandmother. She cherished her time with her only granddaughter and took great pride in the milestones in her life.
Barbara’s family would like to thank the staff at The Arbors in Westfield. They also extend a heart-felt appreciation for the great efforts extended to her (and her family) during the last two weeks by the staff at Orchard Valley and Ascend Hospice staff who embraced her with love and care the last days of her life.
There will be a Funeral Home Service on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 1 PM at the O’Brien HilltownFuneralHome, 27 Russell Rd (Rt 20), Huntington MA. Calling hours for Barbara will precede the service from 11AM-1PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Norwich Bridge Cemetery on Littleville Rd in Huntington.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield MA 01104 or the Alzheimer’s disease Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield MA 01104.
