Bonnie S. Watt

1933 - 2016

Bonnie S. Watt

AGE: 82 • Red Bank

Bonnie Shields Watt, 82, of Red Bank, formerly of Rumson, NJ passed away on August 3rd at Riverview Medical Center. Bonnie was born in 1933 to Edward and Ethel Shields in Chambersburg, PA. She graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1951 and studied fashion design and merchandising at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University). It was at Carnegie that she met Stanley B. Watt whom she married in 1954. Their marriage lasted 50 years until Stan's death in 2005. They moved to New York City after a year in Japan during Stan's military service. While Stan pursued his acting career, Bonnie worked for talent agency J. Walter Thompson before becoming personal assistant to Broadway producer Richard Halliday and actress Mary Martin. In 1966, they bought their first home in Waldwick, NJ where Bonnie raised her daughter, Stacey and son, Jason. She was a tireless volunteer in the school district, and community theater. In 1977, the family moved to Rumson, NJ where she continued her volunteering for organizations such as Children's Psychiatric Center, HABcore, Two River Theater, Pacific Opera Company, and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional HS. Bonnie loved entertaining at her home, working in her home garden and the Atrium, playing bridge with friends, and traveling the world with Stan on photography expeditions. She was a patron of the arts and especially loved being involved with NJ Repertory Theater in Long Branch, NJ.

Bonnie leaves behind her daughter Stacey of Long Branch and her partner Tim Finan, son Jason and his wife, Juliette, of Pagosa Springs, CO, her sister Billie Derridinger and husband Paul of Louisville, KY, and nieces and nephews in both Kentucky and California as well as many dear friends.

The family would like to thank the staffs of The Atrium at Navesink Harbor, Visiting Angels, and incredible nursing staff on 2North at Riverview Medical Center for their compassion and support. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held on September 10th at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, NJ from 10am to 12pm.