Obituary of Patti Lou Watson

Patti Lou Watson passed away peacefully at her home and Centennial farm the morning of November 24, 2022, surrounded with family at her side. She was 93 years old. Throughout her lifetime, Patti lived her life in a pioneering spirit of adventure, education, faith, and perseverance, as a wife, homemaker, volunteer, farmer, gardener, domestic and world traveler, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a friend of many. She came from a family rich in heritage and Greeley history. Her grandparents Frank Field, Jr., and Winifred H. Field McCrory were instrumental in the success of early Greeley banking. Patti was born in Greeley, Colorado in 1929 to Martin G. and Maxine Field. The Watson family grew up raising cattle, sheep, and agriculture on the family farm after her husband John’s grandfather, H.C. Watson, one of the earliest pioneers into Northern Colorado, settled in the Greeley area in 1871with the Union Colony Pioneers. The working farm, now known as Five M Farm Co., remains an original homestead Centennial Farm, North of Greeley. Patti graduated from Greeley High School in 1946 and went on to attend Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she was a member of the Omega Psi Sorority. She transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder to be closer to family and the love of her life, John P. Watson. Once Patti returned to Colorado, it wasn’t long before Patti Lou married that “love of her life” and “neighbor boy” Johnnie Watson on Feb. 19, 1950, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Greeley. They were married for 62 years. Their first house was near 24th St. & 11th Ave in Greeley. Patti and John then moved out to the country North of Greeley on County Road 41 to be closer to the farm and where they wanted to start their family. They are survived with five children and their spouses, Mary W. of Denver, CO, Michael G. (Diane) of Ken Caryl Valley, Mark P.(Diana) of Prescott, AZ, Melissa A. (Missy & Carl) of Centennial, CO, and Martha J. (Marty & Jeffry) of Denver, CO. In 1966, they built their dream home on four acres adjacent to the farm. The family is still very engaged in managing the Five M Farm Company. Patti’s volunteer work in the Greeley community was extensive over her lifetime. In addition to helping on the family farm, raising her children, and working with John in his farm management and farm real estate business, Patti was very involved in the Weld County Historical society, performing many hours of volunteer work on the Greeley Historical Park as well as sponsoring and supervising its development and operation. Patti had a love for gardening and funneled that knowledge and energy into Houston Gardens where she was instrumental in the development and growth of what the gardens is today. Patti was very involved with the Trinity Episcopal Church even before her marriage. She spent many years helping manage the Altar Guild and Junior Alter Guild and Church Bizarre functions. She, along with her mother, were also involved in the Sunday School education program at Trinity for many years. She was instrumental in the Assistance League of Greeley establishing the Bargain Box in 1973, which was a collection of gently used and new goods priced to benefit the community and stil exists on 9 th Street. Patti worked at the Bargain Box weekly from 1973 for over 25+ years. Her long list of responsibilities ranged from a Board Member and Chairman on multiple committees including Treasurer and Chairman of Finance committee, chairman of the General Maintenance Committee for the Houston Gardens. Patti loved to travel and was the family travel planner with her Mobil Travel Guides and maps in hand. The family traveled extensively around the US and Canada to sightsee and visit relatives. Later on, once the kids were out of the house, Patti and John took their love for travel internationally visiting multiple countries and continents. Her hobbies outside of volunteering were playing bridge, more gardening, and spending time in Estes Park at their family cabin in the Glen Haven area. In addition to her five children Patti is survived by with seven grandchildren: Michael P. Watson of Tempe AZ, Matthew C. Watson of Sterling, CO, Juan C. Leal of Greeley, CO, Jonathan Watson of Littleton, CO, Stephanie Bryant of Tigard OR, Cece Palmquist of Los Angeles, CA and Eric Olson of Denver, in addition to five step grandchildren. She has four great grandchildren: Mason, Myles, and Madelyn Watson, Lillian Watson that all live in Colorado. Patti had a brother, Martin G. Field, Jr., now deceased, who resided in southern California practicing psychiatry for many years after serving in the Naval reserves and is survived by Martin’s son Martin Glenn Field, III. Patti Watson had a dedicated and unwavering commitment to her family, farm and community creating a better world for future generations. After John’s death in 2012, Patti remained at the farm with the support of her family and multiple caregivers who were also a key part of her life and made the final years on the farm come true along with her final days in hospice alongside with family.Patti’s legacy will continue to thrive through the many lives she has touched. In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to: Assistance League of Greeley, 1706 9 th Street, Greeley, CO 80631 in memory of Patti Watson where donations and a family contribution will go towards the Bargain Box and an Assistance League Scholarship Fund so that the League can continue to serve the needs of Greeley. The Assistance League is a volunteer service organization whose membership aspires to meet the challenging needs of individuals through community based philanthropic programs in Greeley and Weld County. The family plans to also have a special memorial dedicated in her memory at the Houston Gardens. There will be a Celebration of Life at 12:30 PM on December 7th at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3800 W. 20th Street in Greeley. A private family burial will commence directly afterwards. The Watson’s encourage friends and family to continue the Celebration of Life for Patti with an appetizer reception at 3:30 PM in the UNC Bears room at the Double Tree Hotel, in Downtown Greeley.