Mary Ellen Watson

MISSOULA ~ It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of Mary Ellen Toms Watson. Mary was a dearly beloved daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother to a very large family. Mary passed away peacefully in early October, 2026. She had the support of loving caregivers and her family by her side during the last few months of her life. Mary lived in Missoula for over 70 years.

Born as the only child to Gordon Oliver Toms and Lois Grace Woodward Savage, of Spokane, Washington in January, 1930, Mary Ellen Toms’ roots can be traced back to the very early years of this country – 1664 in Toms River, New Jersey.

Mary attended Longfellow and Audubon Grade Schools, and North Central High School in Spokane. Mary and her stepsister Peggy worked part-time at G.O. Toms Electric as accounting assistants. It was at this shop where Mary first met her husband-to-be and the love of her life, George Kenneth Watson, a World War II US Navy veteran. They married on July 24, 1948, in Spokane at St. Aloysius Church.

In 1956 the family relocated to Missoula. George wanted to move to Missoula to partner with his father, Charles K. Watson, and start their own electrical contracting business. In 1961 George and Mary purchased 10 acres of property on Evaro Hill, 15 miles northwest of Missoula, and began building their third home. They moved into the Evaro Hill home in the fall of 1963.

Mary was the quintessential stay-at-home mom in the era when that was the norm. She was a dedicated loving homemaker. She was a truly selfless person, always putting the concerns of those around her ahead of her own. Family was the focus of Mary's life. Her community involvement grew with her children. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Camp Fire Girl volunteer, St. Francis Altar Society, election day precinct volunteer, and contributor to countless potlucks, and fervent supporter of the kids’ many endeavors.

She and George were avid campers and spent many summers enjoying the great Montana outdoors. They spent many weekends camping and boating at Seeley Lake, Flathead Lake, Painted Rocks State Park, and many other Northwest locations.

Mary was the quiet matriarch of her family’s culture and values based on faith, compassion, love, and kindness. Her spirituality was very important to her throughout her life. She was an active member of St. Aloysius Church in Spokane, St. Anthony Church and St. Francis Xavier Church in Missoula, and St. John the Baptist Church in Frenchtown. She drew great comfort from her faith.

Throughout her life she enjoyed reading, traveling, camping, gardening, baking and card games, where she could get a little competitive! She was also an accomplished seamstress and the many quilts she made are now family heirlooms. In 1996 Mary moved from the Evaro family home to Katoonah Lodges in Missoula. Here she met many new friends and neighbors and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the senior community there.

Mary is survived by her nine children: Nancy Chase of Spokane, Washington; David Watson & Donna of Olympia, Washington; Cathi Lafitte & Nathan of Bullard, Texas; Shirley Frank of Flint, Texas; Gordon Watson & Eileen of Placid Lake; Frank Watson & Cathy of Seeley Lake; Joe Watson & JoAnn of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Trish Olk & Scott of Bayview, Idaho; and Don Watson & Alicia of Philomath, Oregon. Mary was a devoted mother to her 9 children, grandmother to 24 grandchildren, and proudly loved her 39 great-grandchildren, whose visits always brought her great joy. She was preceded in death by her husband George (1994), parents Gordon O. Toms (1994) and Lois Woodward Toms (1954), her stepsister Peggy Forsythe (1990), and son-in-law Patrick Chase (2024).

The Watson Family wishes to thank the wonderful team of personal caregivers and the entire staff at Missoula Valley Senior Living along with TREK Hospice of Missoula for their compassionate, loving care for Mary during her stay with them. We would especially like to bestow many, many thanks and love to our sister Shirley for her loving and unwavering care of our mother since June of 2020. In honor of Mary's life, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the St. Patrick House Endowment in Missoula.

Mary's adventurous life will be celebrated on October 16, 2026 at St. John the Baptist church in Frenchtown, MT at 11:00 am followed by burial at the cemetery in Frenchtown. There will be a reception at the Evaro Schoolhouse following the burial.

Though she has left this world, the echoes of her laughter, love, and legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of all who knew her.