Joan Marie Watson

Joan Marie Stump Watson was born in Gary, Indiana, March 31, 1948. She passed away suddenly in Thornton, Colorado on August 27, 2016. Joan graduated from Wm. A. Wirt High School in Gary and went on to earn a B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a M.A. from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, specializing in Reading and English. She also completed the Principal Licensure Program at the University of Denver in Colorado. She began her teaching career in Indiana and then worked in Colorado for Jefferson County Schools and Adams 12 Five Star Schools teaching junior high and high school Reading and English. She then served as the Principal of Horizon High School for four years. Throughout her teaching career she gave herself completely to her students. She was also dedicated to mentoring and training her fellow teachers, continuing to work in Learning Forward Colorado even after her retirement in 2009. Her next career was raising, breeding and showing Irish Setters and becoming an active member of the Irish Setter Club of Colorado. More important than her many accomplishments in life was her shining example of love for all, as evidenced in the generosity of her spirit, and her tireless service for others. Joan is survived by her beloved daughter, Sarah Bethel; sisters, Sandi Zeigler and Terri Busick; step-children, Sean Watson, Jason Watson, George Bethel and Kris Cooper; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother; her husband, James Watson; and former husband, George Bethel. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's honor can be made to: the Brady Campaign, Doctors Without Borders, the Irish Setter Club of America Foundation, Susan G. Komen or the charity of your choice. Joan was also an organ donor and will live on in that way as well as in our memories. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 11am at the Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr Street, Arvada, Colorado. Please share your memories of Joan & Condolences with her family by visiting the guestbook below.