Peg Childs - Watson

Margaret “Peg” Watson-Childs, 75 of Pensacola, FL died Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

Peg was born on May 8, 1946 in Anderson, IN to Betty Ann (Jackley) and Thomas Childs. She graduated from Anderson High School; and obtained both BS and MS degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

She taught journalism and English at Mishawaka High School and was a Media Center Manager with Indianapolis Public Schools. In 1980, she moved from education into instructional systems development and human resources with Bell Laboratories, both in Indianapolis and New Jersey.

After marrying Donald Watson in 1982, the couple lived in New Jersey and moved to Farmington Hills, MI in 1985. Peg began working in human resources with American Motors and later with Chrysler Corporation where she became a manufacturing human resources manager in Detroit, Huntsville, AL, Kokomo and Indianapolis, IN. She was the first female H.R. Manager in one of Chrysler’s major manufacturing facilities in Kokomo. In 2005, she retired and moved to Pensacola, FL where she and her husband enjoyed boating and later RVing.

Peg began her love of boating at her grandparents’ lake cottage in Northern Indiana when she was just 4 years old. She went from motor boating and water skiing on small lakes to sailing in the Detroit area where she and her husband, Don, had their first sailboats, later sailing a 42ft. Tayana out of Palafox Marina in downtown Pensacola. Following their sailing days, they boated “slowly” in a 42 ft. Jefferson for many years, visiting ports from Clear Lake to Key West. While boating they were members of the Pensacola Yacht Club and participated in state-wide boat related activities.

Following boating days, Peg and Don found motor coaches and RV’s around the country until they sold their last coach in 2016. During her life Peg was a member of the League of Women Voters for many years.

She was a member of the Holy Trinity ECW, volunteered at the National Naval Aviation Museum and was a member of Impact 100.

Peg is preceded in death by her parents, Betty A. and Thomas Childs.

She is survived by her husband, Don, daughter, Courtney, granddaughters, Josephine and Danielle of Pensacola, sister, Pamela (Childs) Lanane of Anderson, IN; nephew Jason Lanane of Indianapolis, IN; cousin, Jim McMahon of Indianapolis, IN. In addition to great nieces, she leaves behind her beloved dog, Dhaka, and many friends and other family members.

A Memorial Service will be 1200 Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Inurnment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society.