Obituary of Ruth-Deborah-Hoffman Watson

RUTH DEBORAH HOFFMAN WATSON SOUTH BURLINGTON - Ruth Deborah Hoffman Watson of South Burlington died on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in the Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington. Born on Independence Day in 1922, Ruth was raised in Rensselaer, N.Y., by parents, Clarence and Margaret Schumann Hoffman. They spent summers in Taborton, N.Y., along with her brother, Ernest Hoffman of Averill Park, N.Y., who predeceased her by one week on Nov. 20, 2013. Ruth graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1939. She attended Russell Sage College and Albany Business College, graduated in 1942, and then worked at Albany Savings Bank until 1951. She married George Edwin Watson in 1951, and they resided with their three children in West Springfield, Mass., until 1972, when they moved to Burlington. Ruth was happiest when surrounded by friends and family, and thus was active in the church community as a member of the United Methodist Women, volunteered at Birchwood Nursing Home, and served as President of the Women's Society at West Springfield United Methodist Church. Prior to her husband George's death in 1995, the couple resided in South Burlington and wintered in Hudson, Fla. They enjoyed league bowling and dancing with the Lakeside Steppers Square Dance Club. Prior to moving to Starr Farm Nursing Center in 2012, Ruth was an active resident of the Allenwood Senior Community in South Burlington. Ruth is survived by her three sons and daughtersin-law, Mark (Cheryl) Watson of Southington, Conn., David (Jeannette) Watson of Alexandria, Va., and Paul (Jane) Watson of Essex Junction. She had ten grandchildren, David John (Audrey), Jonathan, Stephanie, Alexander (Elaine), Geoffrey, Michael, Matthew, Rachel, Deirdre, and Gavin; and one great-grandchild, Amaya. Ruth is also survived by her niece, nephews, their children and many friends. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. A funeral service will be on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church, Buell Street, Burlington, with burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery. To send online condolences to the family please visit www.readyfuneral.com. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the staff at Starr Farm Nursing Center for the loving care they provided to Ruth.