Marilyn Joanne Watson

Marilyn was born, February 13, 1937 in Salina, Kansas, to the late Beuford and Ruth (Gress) Pike. She grew up as a farm girl, but attended North High School in Wichita, Kansas and graduated in 1954; she then furthered her education at Wesley School of Nursing in Wichita. While in nursing school, during a blind date, she met the love of her life, Larry L Watson. They were united in marriage on August 29,1958 in Wichita, Kansas.

Marilyn and Larry stayed busy in their early years of marriage, raising four children while often moving from state to state (Kansas, Utah, California, and New Jersey). They settled in Phoenix, Arizona in 1975, when Larry retired from the US Air Force.

With all her children reaching their teen years, Marilyn worked as a nurse’s aide and eventually was employed by the Arizona VA Hospital where she earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree. Marilyn then completed a program at Maricopa County Medical Center and became a Registered Nurse fulfilling her lifelong dream, at age 41. (This was unheard of back then and she was such an inspiration to many)! Marilyn’s Registered Nursing career began at Maricopa County, she also worked at Phoenix Baptist Hospital and for over ten years at Saint Joseph Medical Center on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Marilyn loved her job caring for premature infants until August 1996, when she was unable to work due to medical reasons. In 2004 she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after showing symptoms for 10 years.

After the passing of her husband, Larry, in 2005, Marilyn became very active with Skyway Church, singing in the choir, attending Ascend University classes which led to her becoming a chaplain. She visited and prayed with the ill and elderly; often giving rides to church services and Bible studies. She loved to play piano and dance! She was in modern dance in high school and was delighted to put on tap shoes and participate in Parkinson’s Dance therapy classes.

Marilyn also loved her Phoenix Suns and was an avid season ticket holder. She was famous with friends, family and coworkers for her delicious potato salad, pumpkin pies, and Texas sheet cake. She often craved fried chicken and pie crust! When she was no longer able to cook and residing in assisted living, she loved to play dominos and bingo. Most of all, Marilyn loved her kids, grandkids, and great grandbabies! Marilyn was everyone’s best friend. She was always there to listen, help, give a hug and say a prayer. She was the epitome of a Christian woman and she will be missed by all those that knew her!

Marilyn is survived by her loving children, Brenda (Allen) Eneboe, Duane Watson, Linda Watson, and Pamela Watson. Her brothers Chuck (Janet) Pike and Keith (Patricia) Pike, her brother-in-law, Benny Watson. She is survived by 8 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her daughter-in-law Kathy Chavez and her brother Chet Pike.

Marilyn’s family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Holly Shill, director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, for all her years as Marilyn’s wonderful doctor and Desert Hills Assisted Living in Goodyear and Arizona American Hospice for their loving care in her final days.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Skyway Church, 14900 W. Van Buren Street, Goodyear AZ 85338. A graveside service is planned for Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the National Cemetary of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GreenAcresGlendaleMort.com for the Watson family.