Jacqueline (Jackie) Ann Myers Watson, 89, of Duncan Falls, Ohio passed away peacefully on October 29. Jackie was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend.

Born June 15, 1937 in Zanesville, Ohio to Charles and Florence (Deitrick) Myers, Jackie was the middle child, with an older sister Donna, and younger brother, Bud. She grew up on the Myers Dairy Farm, where she helped milk the cows and helped her father deliver the milk. Jackie was a 1955 graduate from Philo High School. She graduated from Muskingum College with a degree in education and was a member of the FAD.

It was at Philo High School that Jackie met Bill Watson, the love of her life. They were married on June 6, 1959, which happened to be Bill’s birthday so he would not forget their anniversary. Together Jackie and Bill raised their two children John and Jeanne in Philo and Zanesville. Over the years they traveled to Colorado, Wyoming, California, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Virginia, Nashville, North Myrtle Beach, and The Villages in Florida. While in Florida, they would enjoy the hospitality of Bill’s Aunt Mary. They also took day trips around beautiful Ohio. (especially Amish country)

Jackie taught for 30 years in the Franklin Local School District. Over the years, Mrs. Watson taught 5th, 6th, and 3rd grade students. She had a tremendous impact on hundreds of students. Jackie was a terrific teacher. She enjoyed reading aloud to students everyday. This was passed on to her daughter, Jeanne, who was also a teacher. She also volunteered in her daughter’s classroom when she first started teaching. One of the last big things to happen to Jackie was that she was mentioned in the book, Grandma Joy and Me by a former student, Brad Ryan. He inscribed the book, “For Mrs. Watson, Your many years of encouragement brought me here, Thank you for believing in me. I love you!” and in the book acknowledgements, “Jackie Watson, who taught me cursive writing in third grade and never stopped encouraging me to publish my first book.”

Over the years Jackie was involved with Philo-Duncan Falls Homemakers, Carlwick Grange, Muskingum County Retired Teachers, and Friends of the Library. She was a member of the Philo United Methodist Church. She was the church secretary and a member of the choir. She loved singing the old hymns.

Jackie loved doing the word jumble, cryptoquote, and celebrity cipher in the newspaper everyday. She always had a large print word search nearby. She also loved to read, complete jigsaw puzzles (some of them were framed), and crossword puzzles. She collected Fenton cat figurines. Jackie enjoyed reading the comics everyday and getting a few good chuckles. She was a big fan of The Price is Right, Perry Mason, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Over the years Jackie was a “mommy” to numerous cats. She would still talk about playing in the women’s golf league at Fuller’s Fairways years ago.

Jackie is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Bill, her daughter, Jeanne, her brother Bud (Joan), daughter-in-law, Kay, her nieces and nephews, Callie, Kristin, Julie, Jill, Jamie, LeeAnne, Lisa, Jeff, Terry, and CJ and their families; her cousins Bub and Sonny and their families; and her adorable feline companion, Cleocatra (Cleo).

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, John and her sister, Donna (Dan).

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Ohio Hospice, Palliative, and Supportive Care. They would also like to thank Annette Deitrick, Ginny Calendine, and the healthcare workers at Traditions.

A celebration of Jackie’s life will be held Saturday, November 7 at Farus Funeral Home in Duncan Falls. Visitation will be from 12-2pm and her celebration of life will be from 2-3pm with Pastor Jeff Belt officiating. A private graveside service will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jackie’s memory to Philo United Methodist Church P.O. Box 188 Philo, Ohio 43771.