Connie Watson, 76

Connie Loree Watson was born on Friday, September 13, 1946, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Darrell Woodard Watson and Sarah Alice Watson.

In 1975, as a young adult and mother, she moved to Boise, Idaho, from Kansas. Following that, in 1978 she moved to Sandpoint where she resided for 45 years before her death on May 25, 2023, from medical complications. She enjoyed the beauty of City Beach just blocks from her home and the gorgeous mountains.

Connie attended Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Boise State University, and University of Idaho. In 1982, she received a bachelor of science degree in psychology from University of Idaho in Moscow. It was difficult for her and her son Tim to leave Sandpoint for two years so she could finish, and take home a diploma, but they enjoyed Moscow, the Palouse, U of I, and the local folks.

When her sons were young, she was very involved in PTA, Cub Scouts, and worked as a tutor in the schools. She considered mothering the most important thing she did during her lifetime and the thing she loved most. She was captivated by the feeling of being Mom. She was the proud mother of two sons and she loved them tremendously. She had one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter. Her son Tim is a civil engineer and Gary is a businessman.

She enjoyed the beauty of North Idaho, her work, and family activities. She loved music very much and it had always been a very large part of her life. In retirement, it had become an even larger part. She loved both the melody and the lyrics. She enjoyed hearing all the wonderful local musicians and, because she couldn’t play an instrument, she became really good a being a good audience. In early Sandpoint, there was a lot of dancing going on downtown and she loved doing that.

A significant part of her community contribution involved the establishment of the Bonner Community Hospice organization in service to Bonner County. She was a founding member, and worked in support of Hospice from its inception in 1985.

Connie also created a Department of Social Services at Bonner General and worked as director of social services for 18 years from 1990 to 2008, when she retired.

Following retirement from Bonner General Hospital, she traveled to warm climates in the winter months and developed friendships in the Yuma, Arizona, area. During months in Sandpoint, she continued to volunteer her time at the library and in the public schools.

Connie is survived by her sons, Tim (Jeannie) Blankenship and Gary (Teresa) Blankenship; her granddaughter, Michell Adams; and a great-granddaughter, Summer Adams. Her family was the most important part of her life and she was very proud of being a mother and grandmother.

She found peace on trips to the ocean even though she was a Kansas girl. "Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding was one of her favorite tunes. Laughing a lot was a way of life for her, and telling the truth was especially important.

Quote from Connie: "I hope I made things a little better in our small part of the world, and I tried to show my family how deeply I love them. Now I am ready to say goodbye”

Private family services will take place.

Connie requested that, in lieu of floral gifts, you would spend time in service to the needs of each other and give a smile of encouragement to a child.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Connie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.