Frances Maude "Fran" Watson

1951 - 2017

Watson, Frances "Fran" Maude Baldwin
Frances Maude Baldwin Watson, 65, of Mesa passed away on May 29, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with scleroderma. She was born on October 16, 1951 in Teaneck, NJ to Jack and Lillian Baldwin. Fran was raised in New Jersey, graduating from Toms River High School and Glassboro State College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She met the love of her life, Tom, while in college, marrying in 1976. Shortly after, they moved to Arizona. They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary in Sedona. Fran worked for 30 years for Coldwell Banker Success Realty, retiring in 2007 as their Vice President of Administration. Fran volunteered in First Presbyterian Church of Mesa's I-Help program for homeless women. She also volunteered at Banner Gateway Medical Center in the gift shop and boutique. Fran was an amazing cook, specializing in Italian cuisine. Everyone loved her homemade sauce! She had a passion for the outdoors, especially gardening, hiking, camping, birding, and walking the beaches of New Jersey, California, and Florida. She was a skilled photographer of both nature and people. Music and concerts were other passions. She continues to dance to Grateful Dead songs!Fran loved most of all her family. She was dedicated to her husband and son. Fran loved spending time with them and especially enjoyed seeing her son grow from a child to the remarkable man he is today.Fran is survived by her husband, Tom and son, RJ. Fran will be greatly missed by her family, including her sister-in-law, Nancy, brother-in-law, Rob, nieces Nerissa and Meaghan, nephews Paul and Jay, and many wonderful friends. She is predeceased by her brother, John, and her parents. A service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Mesa at 161 N. Mesa Dr.,
Mesa, AZ on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to I-Help-Mesa, First Presbyterian Church of Mesa, or a charity of your choice.