Susan Watson

On November 2, 2012 Susan Watson passed away suddenly following complications during surgery in Santa Barbara, CA. Susan was born in Richland, Washington in 1954 to Genevieve and Don Campbell. As a young girl, she moved to Southern California where she attended El Modena High School. She went on to attend Brigham Young University where she met and married David Alan Watson in 1974. After graduating from BYU in 1975 with a degree in Child Development and Family Relations, the couple moved back to California where she resided for the rest of her life.

Family was the foundation of Susan’s life and she shared her love of music, literature, art and nature with her children and grandchildren. Susan was proud of her pioneer heritage and passed on her love of the American frontier to her children through books and stories that celebrated the independent spirit.

Animals held a special place in her life and in addition to breeding dogs and practicing dog agility, she made many wonderful friends in the dog world. Susan and her miniature poodle Jossette, also visited retirement homes as a therapy dog, which they both enjoyed very much. She spent the last few years of her life working with Dr. Lewis at the Humane Society of Ojai. For many years Susan was also a volunteer at the Ojai Public Library where she would deliver and read books to the elderly citizens of her community.

Susan was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served as a teacher, a music instructor and as a pianist. Her legacy of service will be remembered by all who were touched by her dedication as a visiting teacher and a friend.

Susan is survived by her husband, Dr. David A. Watson; daughters Jennifer Helene Hamn (Charles) of Signal Mountain, TN and Heidi Marie Monroe (Jeffrey) of Redondo Beach, CA; sons John David Watson (Jennifer) of Scotch Plains, NJ and Marc Christopher Watson (Michelle) of Salt Lake City, UT; grandchildren Clare, William, and James Hamn, Tyler, Hannah, Rincon, Thomas, and Aurellia Watson, Genevieve, Vivienne and Scarlett Monroe; her mother Genevieve Proctor Campbell; sisters Karen DeMarcus and Nancy Kandler; brother Stuart Campbell; and her poodles Jossette, Pandora and Robin. She is predeceased by her father, Don Arden Campbell (2006) and her brother Linden Arden Campbell (2002).

The family will receive friends Friday, November 9, 2012 from 10:00 until 11:30 A.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 411 San Antonio Drive, Ojai. Funeral Services will follow at 12:00 P.M. Susan will be interred at the Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Society of Ojai at 402 Bryant Street, Ojai, CA 93023 or to the Humanitarian Relief Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Humanitarian Services c/o LDS Philanthropies, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, 15 E. South Temple St. #2E, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura