Sloan A. Watson

Sloan Angeline Watson passed away unexpectedly on April 9, 2025.

One of six children, Sloan was born to Chris and Kenneth Moryl on June 26,1970 and was raised in a busy family in LaPorte, Indiana. 

Sloan graduated from the University of Dayton where she studied Communications and made a legion of cherished friends all of whom were important to her. Despite life's craziness and her long distance from many, Sloan remained committed to being a part of their lives. 

Sloan serendipitously met her husband, Tom, while commuting on the “El” and after a short courtship they were married at city hall in Chicago. They enjoyed newlywed life and welcomed Maclaine and Elisabeth, but soon longed for more space and a community in which to raise their family. They settled on Oak Park and made the trek seven miles west. 

Owen arrived thereafter and Sloan, Tom and their young family quickly settled into life in their American four square on Wenonah Avenue which they lovingly restored. They made friends easily with their neighbors and members of their community and became involved with the goings on at Lincoln Elementary around the corner. Lincoln hosts an annual carnival fundraiser where Sloan often was in charge of the raffle and creatively devised elaborate gift baskets in support of Lincoln’s annual day of fun. 

The 1000 block of Wenonah is a lively enclave in South Oak Park with a close knit group of people who define what it means to be neighborly and its block parties are renowned. For years Sloan and her neighbors would concoct the party’s theme whereby she created a colorful flyer which she eagerly distributed. A couple of summer days every year were filled with scavenger hunts, talent shows, and bonfires with a DJ’s music and laughter roaring late into the night. Neighbors and friends could also count on Sloan and Tom’s frequent potluck celebrating the Bears’ season opener where everyone settled in chairs in their front yard surrounded by screens, drinking beer, devouring Brian Keyes' homemade pizza and hoping for a win. 

Sloan was first and foremost dedicated to her family. She loved Tom, Lainie, Lily and Owen deeply and was very involved in their lives. When the kids were little, she would give piggyback rides, frequent Maple or Rehm parks, and pile everyone into their minivan after school for a spontaneous trip to North Avenue beach in effort to cherish the waning days of summer. These were happy days and Sloan would often wish she could “turn back the clock 15 years for a weekend”. As the kids grew, Sloan was reliably decked out in OPRF swag and cheering for not only her kids, but her friends’ kids, at countless lacrosse, baseball, soccer, football games and water polo tournaments. 

Professionally, for 25 years Sloan gave it her all at Bulley & Andrews construction firm where she was the Vice President of Marketing. She enjoyed her colleagues and the challenge of her work, and was thrilled to live in a community with a widely used public library that happened to be built by the company for which she proudly worked. 

Sloan had recently transitioned to a part time role at Bulley & Andrews to allow her more time with her family and to foster her boundless creative energy. She had a natural gift for decorating which over the years became her passion. She could never pass up a yard sale or a thrift store and admittedly could not restrain herself when she found a good deal. She thought it was sacrilegious to pay full price for furniture and was addicted to the thrill of the hunt, always in search of something special. She loved the colors orange and navy, was a self-described sucker for anything with a Greek key or chinoiserie pattern, gravitated to art that featured the “El” and anything made of faux bamboo. She scoured decorating books and typically had at least two creative projects ongoing at once. 

Sloan was uniquely thoughtful and known to often leave unexpected finds on friends’ porches simply because “I thought of you and it looked like it was made for you”. She would curate gifts for family and friends months in advance and took loving care with the process. She wanted those in her life to know how special they were to her. 

Universally, Sloan will be remembered for her inherent optimism. She genuinely sought to learn from the meaning of her personal experiences and what life was trying to teach her. She loved the quote "write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year" and she made every effort to live it. 

If you had the good fortune to be a part of her life, she was the first person to celebrate your successes or lend an ear or a shoulder in times of hardship. She never forgot your birthday or the birthdays of your children, and frequently took the time to mail a short note just to tell you how important you were to her. She was the first person to help if you were in need and immediately offered to pitch in if she sensed you were reluctant to ask. During the last week of her life she found great joy helping a friend make floral arrangements for her daughter’s bridal shower. Sloan was in her element and likely had more fun than the mother of the bride! She proudly shared photos of their floral creations and reflected "I was grateful to have had the opportunity" and she meant it. Simply put, Sloan was the kindest and most thoughtful of humans. 

In addition to her loving husband, Tom, of 25 years, Sloan is survived by their three beloved children, Lainie, Lily, and Owen who were her life as well as her adored dog, Indy. She is also survived by her mother, four sisters, her brother, Tom’s extended family, nieces, nephews, godchildren, countless dear friends, former colleagues, and all those who were touched by her selfless kindness and optimism. 

Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Thursday April 17, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until beginning of a 7:00 p.m. funeral service and words of remembrance. Memorials to Hephzibah Home, 946 North Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60301 in Sloan’s memory are deeply appreciated.  Arrangements entrusted to Peter B. Kennedy & Co. Funeral Directors. Funeral Info: 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.