Shirley Watson

Shirley Jean DeGeer Watson, 77, of Loveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her home on August 2, 2026, surrounded by family.

Shirley, the second-youngest of ten children, was born in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada, on March 29, 1949, to Hannah Grace Stevens O'Brian and George Lafayette DeGeer.

She graduated from Hawkesbury District High School where she played hockey and basketball, and met her future husband.

In 1969, she married Bruce Thomas Watson at Holy Trinity Church in Hawkesbury, and shortly afterwards moved to the United States to support her husband’s career and raise her three children. His career relocated them to Georgetown, SC; Warwick, NY; Myrtle Beach, SC; Shreveport, LA; Memphis, TN, and finally, to Ohio.

During this time, Shirley was active in her children’s PTO, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and earned her general banking diploma from the American Banker’s Association. Throughout the years, she held various positions in banks, finishing her career as a mortgage lender.

Shirley was known for her friendliness, honesty, and warm smile. She loved the outdoors and staying active. She enjoyed gardening and sewing, refinishing furniture, figure skating, cross country skiing, camping, walking, and just being with her family. She regularly outfished her husband and son.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Vera, Grace, and Anna, her brothers George, Peter, and Donald, and brothers and sister in-law, Bill, Jerry, and Mae.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 57 years, Bruce; her children, Janet (Mike) Maddern, Cheryl (Adam) Kelly, and Brian (Alisha) Watson, her grandchildren Hannah and Edie Dowling of San Antonio, Texas; Andrew, Alyssa, and Adrian Maddern of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Hayden, Grant, Lucas, and Julian Watson of Loveland, Ohio.

Her sisters Mary Smith, Dorothi Vaillancourt, and Ada (David) Simpson; brothers and sisters-in law Garry (Louise) Watson, Norma Jean (Richard) Lachaine, Eric Watson and Carl Goold, Heather Harrison, Doug (Michele) Watson, Robert Graham, Joan DeGeer, Lynea DeGeer, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

At Shirley’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service, but a family remembrance will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by Megie Funeral Home, Milford, Ohio