Joanne Watkins

Joanne Watkins
Joanne Watkins, 88, who lived in Athens from 1972 to1981, died in Boulder, Colorado on August 13, 2015, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Mrs. Watkins, who was married to Athens native Walter Watkins for nearly 46 years, was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a member of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church while she lived in Athens. Mr. Watkins died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1996.
Mrs. Watkins was born in 1927, and grew up in Port Washington, New York. She graduated from high school on D-Day, and from Cornell University in 1948, and married her husband in 1950. With her family, she lived in Springfield, Pennsylvania; Athens; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania for most of her married life. She moved to Boulder, where her son, Alan, lives, in 2010.
She raised three sons; enjoyed hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband; loved to help others; and was known for her hospitality.
While in Athens, Mrs. Watkins worked for the local Contact telephone crisis hotline.
Mrs. Watkins is survived by her sons, Chip and Alan Watkins; daughters-in-law, Sue Watkins, Margie Watkins, and Tracie Watkins; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her son, Ned Watkins, died in December 2013.
A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.