Paula A. Watson

Paula Ann Watson, a long-time resident of Albuquerque, passed away after a half-year struggle on Monday, May 16 2016 at the age of 79.  Paula was born in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, on April 24, 1937, to Paul and Oma Case.

Paula was a nurse throughout her working life, serving in the US Air Force as a flight nurse in the 1960s during the Vietnam War. Prior to Vietnam, she worked in two rather distinct nursing environments: pediatrics in a children’s hospital and in the psychiatric ward of the Missouri State Prison. Following Vietnam, she served as an Air Force recruiter state-side and in various roles in Africa.  Paula was forced to leave the Air Force following the birth of her only son, in 1969 - to her dismay, as she always felt that serving in the Air Force was the highlight of her nursing career, and she really didn’t want it to end. She didn’t hold that against her son, to her credit. After living in Africa for a few years, the family returned state-side and eventually ended up in Albuquerque in 1972 - the last assignment station for her then-husband. After spending many years raising her son, she returned to work at Digital Equipment, as an industrial nurse;  Paula retired in 1994. Her retirement life was very active, until the last year of her life. She served on various boards, worked as Superintendent at the Home Arts Building at the NM State Fair, traveled the state with her friends, enjoyed the people and activities at the 4H Cooperative Extension, and spent countless hours at hockey rinks, soccer fields, and swimming pools watching her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Jean-Paul, his wife Michelle, her grandsons Anders and Blake, and her dog Pecos.

Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, May 25 at 4:00 pm, at Daniels Family Funeral Services-Wyoming Chapel.  7601 Wyoming Blvd NE.

Her final resting place will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Any memorial contributions should be directed to: Bernalillo County 4H Council, 1510 Manuel Ave NW, Albuquerque NM 87107.