November 15, 1960 - September 25, 2008

Courageous, responsible and committed mother was vivacious and genuine

Wendy Lynn Watson was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon on November 15th, 1960. She was adopted by Katherine and Ronald Watson. Wendy lived in Portland before moving to Seattle 25 years ago. Wendy worked as a bookkeeper for the Paramount Theatre in Portland and then for the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. She also worked as a caterer and as a manager of a band. Wendy was vivacious, a fireball, genuine, quick witted and spiritual.

Wendy had many dimensions to the person she became. She was a musician, writer, lover of art, but nothing would define Wendy’s life as much as motherhood. Wendy had a great role model in her mother Katherine. She always loved and supported Wendy, never judging Wendy and her life choices. She loved Wendy unconditionally. At one point Wendy had considered pursing a connection with her biological mother but later decided against it as she knew that there was no one better than the mother she had in Katherine.

At the time Wendy discovered she was pregnant her life fundamentally changed. Wendy’s baby girl Treasure gave Wendy purpose and was the center of her life. A Seattle Times story written about Wendy and Treasure written on March 20, 2005 told the courageous journey of this loving, responsible and committed mother. The Seattle Times article titled Babies avoid HIV, thanks to UW research tells the story of Wendy, who learned of her HIV diagnosis when she became pregnant, and was able to give birth to Treasure without passing on the virus to her daughter thanks to Wendy’s dedication to treatment and the UW research.

Wendy is survived by her daughter Treasure Sophus, mother Katherine Gonzales, brothers Alan, Kevin and Steve Smith and her sister Lorna Smith and grandparents Leona and John Taylor. Wendy was preceded in death by her father Ronald Watson, and step-fathers Herman Smith and Vernon Gonzales.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A memorial service is being held for Wendy Watson on Sunday October 5th, 2008 at 3:00 pm at High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave. SW, West Seattle, WA 98126.

DONATIONS

Donations in Wendy's memory may be made to Northwest Family Center, 325 Ninth Ave., Box 359726, Seattle, WA 98104-2499

Memorial

WENDY'S HAIKU

OTHER FAMILIES
ARE NOT LIKE MY FAMILY
WE LOVE EACH OTHER

A WEEPING WILLOW
WILL BEND IN THE BREEZES THAT BLOW
GOING WITH THE FLOW

MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL
MY MOST PRECIOUS GIFT OF ALL
LIKE ME. SHE IS STRONG

THE GIFT OF MUSIC
TO SOOTHE OUR HEARTS AND
OUR SOULS
WILL LAST FOREVER

HAPPY LITTLE FEET
PITTER PATTER PITTER PAT
FALLING DOWN AGAIN

THE SUN IS SHINING
OVER ME AND OVER YOU
WE ARE MILES APART

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth, and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth... and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash, what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...

Remembering that this special dash, might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash... would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

By Linda Ellis