Shirley A. Watson Obituary
Shirley A. Watson, 92, of Bush Hollow, entered into heaven Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on February 10, 1931, in Lewistown, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Rosie (Kerns) Swarmer. On December 6, 1949, in Milesburg, she married William H. "Bill" Watson who passed away on May 17, 2009. They would have been married for 60 years that December.
Shirley was a homemaker and a wonderful mother and grandmother, who provided the best home that anyone could ever ask for. She loved her family dearly as they loved her. She was of the Baptist faith and had attended the Brookside Wesleyan Church in the hollow for many years with her family earlier in her life.
Shirley enjoyed cooking and canning from the family garden and was a cleaning fanatic. She was all about a clean house. She enjoyed attending the Centre County Grange Fair and visiting with all her friends and family at her son Terry's camper. She loved spending time with her family and all the holidays when the family would come for dinner. In more recent times, she would enjoy sitting on her front porch swing watching the wildlife coming in the yard and would say how quiet and peaceful it was. She loved and found great pleasure going for rides to Black Moshannon State Park with her daughter Sandy and Toby, Sandy's puppy.
Shirley is survived by her two sons: Dennis E. Watson and his wife, Gema, of the Philippines and Barry L. Watson and his wife, Connie, of Centre Hall; two daughters: Kathy R. Salvanish and her husband, James, Jr, of Julian and Sandra J. Geissinger and her husband, Kevin, of Manheim along with her daughter-in-law Dora Lea Watson of Howard; twelve grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren. She was very proud of all their accomplishments including college educations and making Gram Shirley proud. She was extremely proud of her grandson Dr. Gregory Watson M.D. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Terry D. Watson; six brothers: Boyd Cavanaugh, Lester Cavanaugh, Charles Cavanaugh, Merle Cavanaugh, Pete Swarmer and Harold Swarmer and two sisters: Ida "Betty" Pennypacker and Audrey "Till" Beers. Shirley was the last of her generation.
All services for Shirley will be private at the convenience of the family. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Bill, at Advent Cemetery in Boggs Twp.
