Shirley Edna Watson

CONTOOCOOK - Shirley Edna Hansen-Watson died on November 23, 2018 at the Concord Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 86 years old. Shirley is survived by her husband, John Watson; children, Diane Serard (Peter) and John Watson (Leslie); grandchildren, Laura and Daniel Serard and Adam, Kelsey and Andrew Watson; siblings, Norman Hansen (Sharon) and Robert Hansen (Jean).

Shirley was born on September 24, 1932 in Concord, NH to Dorothy and Albert Hansen. She graduated from Concord High School in 1950 and from Laconia School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse before attending Simmons College. During the polio epidemic, Shirley worked at a clinic in Cincinnati, OH. She returned to Concord and worked for 30 years as a Nurse and Referral Coordinator for the Concord Visiting Nurses Association (VNA). She married Lt. Col. John D. Watson in 1957.

Following her retirement in 1988, Shirley and John traveled to Ireland, France, Alaska and made many trips to Florida to visit family. Shirley enjoyed playing cards with her girlfriends and several outdoor activities, including biking, hiking and especially skiing. She loved going to the Maine coast and spending time with her family at the Marginal Way and Perkin’s Cove, always rounding out the trip with a lobster roll. She was always entertaining others with her fond memories of the wonderful times at the camp on Back Lake in Pittsburgh, NH, where she spent many summers. Her family has always felt that her love of laughter was one of her best qualities, along with being a great listener. She had the unique ability to meet someone new and have a conversation like they were an old friend. She had a generous, loving heart and was always willing to provide thoughtful advice to her family and friends based on her past experiences and had a positive influence on everyone she met. Her family will miss her immensely as a warm, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 pm Monday December 3rd at Bennet Funeral Home, located on 209 North Main Street in Concord. A funeral service will be held at Bennet Funeral Home, at 1 pm on Tuesday December 4th followed by a committal service at 3pm in the Chapel at N.H. State Veteran’s Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Shirley’s life.

The family would like to thank Concord Hospital staff for their wonderful care. Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord, NH.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Concord Regional VNA https://www.crvna.org and Future in Sight, https://futureinsight.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.BennettFuneral.com for the Watson/Serard family.