Mickey Watts

Michelle "Mickey" Watts, 74, of Salem passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, July 19, 2025, at her home. She was born on January 2, 1951, in St. Petersburg, FL, the daughter of John and Jeanne (Wagner) DaSylva. She married the love of her life and her soul mate, Thomas Watts on August 17, 1993, in Salem, and he survives her in Salem.
Along with her beloved husband of 33 years, survivors that will remember Mickey as the light of their lives include her children, Steve (Jackie) Gans, Sara Hayes, John Gans, and Stoney (Heather) Sturgeon; Stoney's father, Donald Sturgeon and family; grandchildren, Sienna (Nathanial) Garrison, Sicily (Dylan) Justin, Camila Gans, Mitchell Gans, Alyssa Gans, Kyndall Sturgeon, Ava Sturgeon, Elijah Gans; greatgrandchildren, Sage Garrison, Bryer Justin, Gia Garrison, Odie Garrison, Paisley Justin; a special bond with brothers, John DeSilva, and Mark DaSylva; father-in-law, Frank Watts; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Nathan Watts and family, and Vanessa (Jason) Skavlem; nieces and nephews, Dominic DaSylva, Anthony DaSylva, Alex (Cory) Moss and family, Jake Skavlem, Daisy Skavlem, and Cash Skavlem; aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members and friends; life-long friends, Dave and Angie Clark.
Mickey was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jeanne DaSylva; grandparents, Alma and Louis DaSylva, and Ray and Ann Wagner; her aunt and uncle, Edna and John LoBianco; mother-in-law, Margaret Lyons Watts; and her late husband Stephen Gans and family.
Mickey attended St. Joseph's Grade School, Holy Family Grade School, Notre Dame Academy for girls, and graduated from Northeast High School in 1969, at St. Petersburg, FL. She was a veteran of the Air Force. She later moved and lived in Patoka, IL for eighteen years. Mickey was not one to shy away from hard work, and her determination was inspiring and truly motivational to everyone that knew her. She worked for Neil and Melinda Jolliff at Jolliff's Dairy Mart in Patoka. She worked as a janitor at Patoka School, where her children attended. She worked several jobs at one time to make ends meet. Other places of employment included Joyce's Café in Vernon, Bigger Jigger restaurant in Centralia, Rockwell in Centralia for a short time, and Pulsar Plastics in Carlyle for twelve and a half years. In 2004, she worked as a cashier at Walmart in Salem for fifteen years, receiving her lifetime discount card.
Mickey was a gentle soul who saw beauty in the simplicity of the little things. Working in her peaceful flower gardens brought her contentment, as she and her fur baby, Rosie, her white French bulldog, enjoyed being outside together. She was the first to find the best in everyone and people were naturally drawn to her warmth and welcoming smile. She was loyal and ready to offer a listening ear, encouraging advice or a loving hug to anyone in need.
Mickey above all was committed to her family. She was their best example of grace, compassion, determination and kindness. She was an extremely gifted artist, a trait she passed down to others in her family. She loved to paint, draw, crochet and knit. She made afghans, vests, sweaters, and dollies. One of Mickey's favorite things was going antiquing with her husband. Mickey possessed a quiet confidence and faced difficulties with a heart filled with hope. Mickey was an amazing cook and baker, and her deviled eggs, patizza, and chocolate chip cookies were requested at all the get togethers she hosted. She was beautiful, generous, nurturing, resourceful, and loved to laugh. Shows like Friends, Saturday Night Live and Seinfeld appealed to her witty sense of humor. Her family brought her abundant joy, and she couldn't have been prouder to be a Wife, a Hello Mother, and Grandma Mickey. She loved her life, her home, her husband her children, and her grandchildren. Wonderful memories will forever fill the hearts of her family and friends, whose great love for Mickey will endure the test of time.
Mickey's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Mahmud and staff and all of her NAL family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval with Pastor John Klockenga officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome at the visitation from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home in Sandoval, where words of comfort and support may be shared with the family. Memorials may be made in Mickey's honor to Tom Watts to help with expenses. Online condolences and memories of Mickey may be shared with her family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home's Facebook page.
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