Geraldine Diane "Geri" WATTS

1939 - 2021

WATTS, Geraldine Diane "Geri" With sadness we mourn the loss of one so precious, yet with joy we share the delight of a life so special. Geraldine Diane Watts passed away peacefully in her sleep February 17, 2021. Born in Trail, British Columbia Canada to Erminio (Butch) Bortolussi and Nina Bortolussi (Cechinni) April 18, 1939 the first of two daughters, sister Delvina would follow shortly after. She grew up in Trail and was quite the student/athlete. Skating, field hockey, lacrosse, and softball were her athletic interests while maintaining nothing but the highest marks in school. At age sixteen she took on even more responsibility as she began working and modeling at the Hudson Bay in Trail. After graduation she applied for a visa and moved to Spokane at age eighteen. She was working at the downtown Penneys store when she met an Airman stationed at Fairchild at the lunch counter. She married George Eugene (Gene) Watts in June 1959. They lived on base and on January 24, 1961 their only child, Dwayne Louis Watts, was born. After Gene got out of the Air Force they briefly lived in Eugene, Oregon, but came back to Spokane and lived on Loma Vista Drive and then a new home on Eloika. In 1972 they moved to Deer Park. Geri, always the animal lover, couldn't wait to have some land and as many animals as she could find. Horses, cows, chickens, ducks, geese, peacocks, rabbits, llamas, and of course dogs, cats, and house birds all found a home with Mom. Stray or otherwise had a life to be envied. Due to difficulties Gene was not always there and Geri raised her son mostly on her own. She was always grateful to Grandma, Grandpa, and the coaches and teachers, but there should be no doubt that she would raise that boy with discipline and a love that knew no bounds. She had a work ethic second to none. She worked for Custom Glass, Northtown Glass, Deer Park Warehouse Market, and Garry Junior High. But she found her perfect job with the Riverside School District where she was the High School secretary forever!! Only retiring when health issues forced her at age 79. It was nothing for her to put in 40 plus hours every week at the school and then continue to work in the evenings and weekends. Even when she had a car accident that totaled her car and would require a number of surgeries and procedures she was found at school that morning holding a towel on her face to keep from bleeding on everything making coffee for the staff until her son came and got her to take her to the hospital. The greatest and strongest person ever is survived by her pride and joy, her family, whom she cherished and to whom she was the rock and steadying force of guidance. Children Dwayne and Kelly Watts, grandchildren Jill and Cameron Ellingson, Samantha Watts, and great grandchildren Madison Ellingson, Allison Ellingson, and Leah Ellingson. The family would like to thank Hospice of Spokane, all our friends and relatives for their support, uplifting words and prayers. But a huge thank you to John McCoy and the Riverside School District family. To Mom you were her second family and she never wanted to let you down. Thank you for being such an important part of not only Mom's life but ours. As we all know so well, Mom was never one for the spotlight and deflected attention and praise to others. As per her request we are not having a memorial or service. To honor her please kiss your children and love them with every fiber of your being. Take joy in the gift of all those special people around you and never miss an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life.