Loraine (Siegel) Watson

Loraine (Siegel) Watson 87 of East Grand Rapids, formerly of Ionia died on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. She was preceded in death in 1999 by her husband of 55 years, Gerald Watson; son, Joseph; daughter, Mary Watson (Karen Morgan); daughter, Christine Peplinski (Stanley); and sister, Dorothy Siegel. Loraine’s family includes her children, Gary (Patricia) Watson, Karen (Wes) Meeuwsen, Corinne Miller, Patricia Watson (Charles Jerzycke), Monica Randall (Ken); brother, Neil Siegel; sisters, Jeanne Forand (Roland), and Mariel Hawley. Loraine was proud of all 17 grandchildren: Colleen, Andrew, Brian; Annette and Jack; Paul, Alan and Patrick; Laura and Molly; Katie, Abbey, Patrick, John and Austin; Brianne and Brooke and 11 great-grandchildren. Loraine attended Central Michigan University. She retired as the Ionia City Clerk and Treasurer. She was a former member of the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School Board, Grand Rapids Diocesan Ecumenical Council, Ionia Public Schools Board, Sparrow Ionia Hospital Board and Ionia Community Library Board. She delighted in the company of good and loyal friends, valued her Catholic faith, enjoyed bridge games, travel, reading non-fiction, being a committed Democrat and was an advocate for education and life-long learning. The family will welcome visitors Saturday, March 5 at 9:00 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am, at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, 2750 Burton Street, S.E. Rev. Msgr. Ernest P. Schneider celebrant. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to her final home, St. Ann’s, 2161 Leonard Street, N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49504 or to the St. Paul the Apostle Education Foundation. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.