Deborah Gaye Watson

Mrs. Deborah (Debe) Smith Watson was born March 11, 1952 at Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach. She passed away October 3, 2011 after a long illness. Debe's father was an air force pilot, who died in a plane crash a few months before Debe was born. Debe grew up in Orlando, Florida, raised by her mother, Vera (Kathy) Smith. Debe and Kathy were always very close, and lived near one another until Kathy's passing in 2009. Debe inherited her sociable, fun-loving personality from her mother. Debe worked for a number of years at Discovery Island at Walt Disney World, where she was able to apply her love of animals as part of her job. She also worked at the Publix Bakery, where she was an exuberant employee, with friendly words for all her customers. She married Walter Watson in 1993, and they spent almost 25 happy years together before her untimely passing. Walter and Debe enjoyed their trips to Costa Rica and Hawaii together, as well as their time at home together with their various birds, dogs and other pets. They enjoyed visits from their friends and neighbors, and having "Happy Hour" sitting in lawn chairs in the front yard of their neighbor, Mark. Debe is survived by her husband, Walt, and by her step-children, Mike, Andy and Ree Watson. She also leaves behind her dogs, Biscuit and Daisy, and her macaw, Toby. Her happy smile and love of life will be missed by all. Debe's husband, family and friends will hold a Celebration of Life at the front clubhouse of the neighborhood where Debe lived for almost 40 years, the Starlight Ranch, at 6000 East Pershing Road, Orlando, Florida.