Imogene "Jean" Wilson Watson

Imogene “Jean” (Wilson) Watson, 89, passed peacefully at home on Friday, November 15, 2024. 

Jean was born in Ashburn, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Edison and Nancy Culpepper Wilson. She graduated from Sycamore High School. She was a standout student athlete and member of the varsity basketball team. In addition to raising her family, she completed studies at Worcester State College, and spent her professional career working as a bookkeeper alongside her husband in their family business, James E. Watson Funeral Home in Clinton, Massachusetts, until retiring. A woman of great faith, Jean was a devout member of the former Evangelical Congregational Church in Lancaster, Massachusetts where she served on the Executive Board as Church Secretary and as a member of the Church Choir. Actively involved in her community, Mrs. Watson was a member and patron of numerous organizations in Lancaster and Clinton, most notably, Friends of the Lancaster Library, Garden Club, Historical Society, Historical Commission, and Current Topics Club. In addition, she held membership with Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of United States Daughters of 1812, National Colonial Dames of America, United Daughters of the Confederacy of Georgia and The National Rifle Association. With a lifelong passion for research and genealogy, Jean proudly authored and produced books on the histories of the Wilson and Sliwa families, The Evangelical Congregational Church of Lancaster, Lancaster Current Topics Club, and the James E. Watson Funeral Home. Above all, she was a proud family matriarch, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. 

She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, James Everett Watson, Jr.; children and their spouses, Alan D. Sliwa, Sandra & Barry Watson, Nancy & Richard Pacella, Jr.; grandchildren: Bobbie Jo Stanley & husband Alan, Mitchell Fox, Amanda Watson, Alex Watson, Amelia Sliwa, Alana Sliwa, Tyler Watson & wife Morgan, Isabelle, Sophia, Adriana, and Rocco Pacella. She leaves her brother, Ronald Wilson & wife Billie; sister-in-law Kay Wilson; generations of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

She is pre-deceased by two children, Georgia Sliwa, and George “Joey” Sliwa, Jr.; her brother, Jackie “Aaron” Wilson; and three step-sons, Robert, Jimmy, and Scott Watson.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 5 until 7PM in the Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton, Massachusetts. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Ashburn. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Imogene Watson to: Veterans, Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01604

Philbin-Couman Funeral Home of Clinton, Massachusetts and Perry Funeral Chapel of Ashburn, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.