Mary Catherine "Kitty" Watson

Mary Catherine “Kitty” Watson, 83, of Pekin, died at 6:47 p.m. on Tuesday (July 8, 2008) at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin.   Kitty was born December 11, 1924, in Pekin, the daughter of Henry R. and Mary C. Cullinan Velde.  She married John F. Watson, Sr. of Delavan on June 12, 1948 in Pekin.  He preceded her in death on October 13, 2003.  Also preceding her was her only sister, Emily Leonard, of Macomb in December 1984.  One brother, Richard H. Velde, of Tucson, AZ survives.   Kitty is survived by five children, Michael (and Mary Beth) Watson of Manito, Margaret (and Michael) Ebert of Morris, Catherine (and Alan) Guebert of Delavan, John, Jr. (and Sallie) Watson of Tremont and William (and Susan) Watson of River Forest.  Kitty enjoyed her 10 grandchildren, Christopher (Linda) Watson, Amy (Rusty) Albers and Angela (Jamason) Isenberg, Kathleen and Emily Meskimen, Paul and Mary Grace Guebert, Lyndsie and Paige Watson, and Matthew Watson.  Kitty was also blessed with one great grandchild, Brenden Watson.   She graduated Pekin High School in 1942 and Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN in 1946.  Before raising her family in Delavan, Kitty worked for Catholic Charities in Peoria.  Kitty was active in charitable and service organizations throughout her full and busy life.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society, Delavan; Pekin Hospital League, Dirksen Guild, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, PEO, Chapter LM, Pekin, and Yesterday’s Young Democrats.  She also served as a trustee for Ayer Public Library, Delavan.   Although a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pekin at the time of her death, Kitty was a longtime member of St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Delavan, where her funeral mass will be held Friday (July 11) at 10:30 a.m.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church and from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday (July 10) at Davis Mortuary, 121 W. Third St., Delavan, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.  Officiants will be Msgr. William Watson, Kitty’s nephew, and Fr. Gerald Verdun.   Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 2900 W. Heading Ave., West Peoria, 61604, and Tazewell County Children’s Advocacy Center, 341 Buena Vista, Pekin, 61554.