Shirley Dawn Watson Lucas

1937 - 2026

Shirley Dawn Watson Lucas

June 20, 1937 - February 28, 2026

Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania - Shirley Dawn Watson Lucas, 88, of Pleasant Gap, PA died, Saturday February 28, 2026 at The Oaks in Pleasant Gap, PA. She was born June 20, 1937, in Bellefonte, PA, a daughter of the late Donald H. Watson, Sr. and Hazel R. Watson.

On November 17, 1957, she married Philip Mahlon Lucas, the love of her life, who preceeded her in death in 2020.

She focused on the business curriculum and graduated from State College Area High School in 1955. She also very much enjoyed her time in the band, and continued contact with her classmates throughout her years at reunions and breakfasts out and about.

Following graduation, she worked at First National Bank in customer service followed by an accounting operations position at Penn State University. The majority of her career was spent at Centre Video which then became TeleCommunications Inc. in various positions, moving up through the company. The highlight of her career however was when she worked with the lovely children in first and second grade at Corl Street Elementary School. Her warm and caring manner made her a favorite of all, and she loved helping expand their creative and intellectual abilities.

She and Phil were also the proud owners of Philips Family Restaurant for several years in Milesburg, PA. Making sure no one went hungry was a priority for she and Phil as they also volunteered at Grace Lutheran Church to feed the congregation at Wednesday Night suppers and between service coffee hour.

She loved travel and history and that led to her passion for genealogy. Her tenacious spirit led to tracking down and accumulating a vast family history. She spent many hours at Advent Cemetery in Milesburg volunteering and the Centre County Historical Society collecting data.

Penn State football and basketball were passions of hers and she would travel to attend games with friends, as she made friends easily and they became lifelong. She was a member of the Red Hats, Centre Squares, various bible studies, and even ran for treasurer of College Township. She loved living in Houserville surrounded by family on the top of the "hill", with her flowers, garden and the beauty of nature.

Shirley loved many things but most of all her family. She traveled extensively to be with them from Colorado, to Long Island, Raystown to Lancaster and on the train if necessary to make sure she attended important events and show her love and support.

She later found companionship and adventures with Charles 'Skip' Schrope and appreciated The Oaks in Pleasant Gap where she enjoyed crafts with the ladies, having her nails and hair done and completing puzzles. They took wonderful care of her.

She is lovingly survived by her brother Donald H. Watson Jr. (Diana) three children Andy (Debra Kline), L. Scott, Jodi (Thomas Mahute), grandchildren Matthew (Madison) Cody (Kady) Michael (Matthew) Madison (George) Morgan (Wyatt) Tyler, Dustin and Keslie. Great grandchildren Lettie, Athena, Adonis, Joseph and Issac with one great granddaughter on the way.

She was preceded in death by a brother Victor Watson and sister Carole Joan Dzvonyicsak.

Services will be at Grace Lutheran Church at the convenience of the family with interment at the Grace Columbarium.