Sally Ann Watson

Sally Ann (Coveyou) Watson died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at River Ridge Retirement Community in South Haven, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Lorena Coveyou, her husband, Alfred B. (Big Al), sons John and Tom, and dear friend Ray Geigerich. Survived by son Al (Diane) and daughter Mary Wilkinson (Neal), sister Patsy Switzer (Bill), nephew Kurt, niece Ellen and grandchildren Andrea, Catherine, David, Ben, Keifer, Krista, Cole, Natalie, great-grandchild Stella, and daughter-in-law, Kathy Watson.

Born December 11, 1933 in Petoskey, Michigan, Sally lived most of her life within a block of Lake Michigan. One of her favorite keepsakes says, "If you're lucky enough to have a house by the water, you're lucky enough." Sally had many fond memories of growing up in northern Michigan that led to annual family vacations to various state parks near Petoskey. A child of the Great Depression, Sally learned the values of hard work and saving at a young age. After high school Sally studied nursing at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids - where she met Al Watson on a blind date, and so began their courtship. They married in 1954 and had four children in somewhat rapid succession.
 

Sally was a wonderful mother and tended to her growing and rambunctious family all-the-while maintaining a full time career at South Haven Hospital. An expert cook, Sally's kitchen was always full of the best of smells producing sumptuous meals where all were welcome. Friends, visitors and passersby knew where to stop by for a meal, snack, pie, cake, or one of her famous cookies. While many attempted to recreate her cookies, Sally’s were always the best. She was also an incredible seamstress making countless dresses for Mary (always trimmed with lace) and outfits for the family (even the occasional leisure suit for Big Al). In later years, after her children were grown and Al had passed on, Sally tended to her beautiful garden, spending countless hours pruning, weeding, and watering her lovely and much-admired flowers. Sally was an avid reader and worked at the Petoskey Library as a young woman. She highly valued education and encouraged her children to pursue their dreams.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven. Funeral mass and luncheon will follow visitation at 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either the St. Basil's Educational Fund, 513 Monroe Boulevard, South Haven, Michigan 49090, Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, Missouri 65020, or your local library.