Natalie Anita Watson

Watson, Natalie Anita

(nee Szymanski)

Of Grand Island, age 102, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord, on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at her daughter's home in Canandaigua, NY, with family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Vincent H. Watson for 61 years; devoted mother of Wayne (Marion) Watson, Grant Watson and Gail J. (Daniel) Alexander; beloved Babcia to ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph B. Szymanski, II & Richard Stanford. Natalie was born in Buffalo and was the daughter of Joseph B. and Blanche (Paszkiewicz) Szymanski. After graduating from Bennett High School and attending business school in Buffalo, Natalie married Vinny in 1949. She worked alongside him running Auburn Watson for many years until Addisons disease interfered. Gradually she regained her health through faith, prayer, clean eating and clean living. She was an avid gardener, bible student, churchgoer, canner, seamstress, decorator and cook. Besides defying the odds for most likely being the longest living person with Addisons disease, she also survived a C-section with no anesthetic, using only hypnosis. In her later years she was devoted to prayer, bible study and being a loving but firm Babcia to her grandchildren. She lived on her own until the age of 99, and kept us entertained as our in-house comedian, biblical lecturer, food critic and professional car passenger princess. She was a daily fixture in our childhood and young adult life and became a daily fixture once again for the past three years. Her laughter, jokes, and comments from her corner living room chair are deeply missed. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m., at Cornerstone Church, 1290 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island, NY 14072. Memorial Contributions can be made to Compassion International at compassion.com. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.