Janet P. Watson

Janet Suzanne Paquette Watson was born on December 26, 1937 and passed away peacefully with her family by her side on December 19, 2023, just one week shy of her 86^th birthday.

Jan, the second of four daughters born to Howard and Helen Paquette, grew up in Cadillac, Michigan surrounded by close family in her neighborhood. At 14 she contracted polio, making a full recovery that many attributed to the prayers of Monsignor James Callahan. Her first job was working the soda fountain at the drugstore in downtown Cadillac. After graduating from Cadillac High School in 1955, she became secretary to the president at Cadillac State Bank. 

In 1961 she married Richard (Dick) Watson. They had two boys, Tim and David, before moving to Saginaw, MI in 1966. Three years later, Mary was born. Jan loved her years raising kids in Saginaw. She and Dick had memorable times playing cards, bowling, attending plays, and having parties with neighbors who became life-long friends. Always part of Jan’s life was a cat who lived in luxury under her spoiling. Also during this time, Jan enjoyed going back to work as a teller at Second National Bank.

In 1979, Dick was transferred to Appleton. They again developed life-long friendships with neighbors, members of the Newcomers Bowling League, and co-workers. Shortly after moving to Appleton, Jan began working downtown at First National Bank (now Chase) in the Trust Department. She moved on to work at Baird Investments before retiring in 1999. 

After retirement Jan cherished being a grandmother, volunteer, and snow-bird. Her grandkids remember how grandma always had sweets and said, “At Grandma’s, you can eat dessert first.”  She gave them lots of TLC when they were sick and enjoyed taking them to school in the mornings. Visiting her grandchildren in Georgia, spending time with them in Destin, FL, and watching all her grandchildrens’ activities were some of her favorite times. Wanting to keep active, she walked, took exercise classes, and volunteered at LEAVEN, the Warming Shelter, and St. Mary’s Parish. She and Dick spent many fun winters in Destin with old and new friends. 

Jan is survived by her husband, Richard; sons, Tim (Pete Smaby) and David; daughter, Mary (Joel) Woznicki; daughter-in-law, Taeko Watson; grandchildren, Rio, Mia, and Sam Watson, Joe (Hannah), James and Mark Woznicki, Tony Cooper and Andy Powless; great-granddaughter, Jenna Woznicki and great-grandson, Wesley Powless. She is further survived by sisters, Marcia (Charlie) Wilson and Pat (Rick) Powell; along with many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Helen Paquette; her sister, Mary Jo Canfield; and her niece, Jolynn Nelson. She will be greatly missed by the many friends she met both personally and professionally through her life.

The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at Primrose Retirement Community and Moments Hospice Care; as well as the staff at Heartwood Senior Living, who continue to provide loving care to her husband. The family would especially like to thank Lexie at Heartwood for bringing Dick to be with Jan in her final hours.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton. Visitation will begin at 9:30 with a memorial service to follow at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Moments Hospice Care or Fox Valley Humane Association.