Beverly H. Watts, 86

Beverly H. Watts was born on April 6, 1934, in Flaxville, Montana, to her parents, Hans P. and Beulah B. (Olds) Jacobson. She was the youngest of six children who joined the four half siblings from her father’s first marriage. When Bev was 7 years old, the family moved to Kalispell. Bev loved her family and felt that the most important thing in her life was her children.

Bev enjoyed being in the commotion and bustle of such a large family, and her favorite times throughout her life were spent playing cards, laughing and listening during family gatherings. After graduating from Flathead County High School, she worked as a telephone switchboard operator and as a clerk for the local power company. In August of 1956, she married Clifford Watts, whose family had a farm in the Creston area. The young couple moved for his work as an ironworker for several years, living in many states. Upon becoming parents, they returned to Kalispell to be close to family, raising their daughters Brenda and Bridget there.

Bev always considered being a good listener as one of her best traits, and she had a variety of long-lived friendships that centered on meeting for coffee or visiting people in their homes, as well as treasured yearly visits with friends who had moved farther away after high school. She always spent time with her mother and sisters, and they always supported her and her daughters, helping her create the same warm large family environment she loved from her own childhood for them.

Before and after her divorce in 1979, Bev held a variety of occupations but considered motherhood to be the most important and rewarding one. She always encouraged her daughters to go to college and was proud of their achievements. She loved their visits and calls and enjoyed visiting them.

Bev died on Dec. 14, 2020, of COVID-related complications/pneumonia. She is survived by her daughters, Brenda Watts of Lebanon, Oregon, and Bridget Watts of Washington, D.C.; her sister, Florence Jacobson, of Kalispell; and her brother, Howard Jacobson, of Columbia Falls; her ex-husband’s sisters, Georgia Doane and Verna Wilson, with whom she remained close; and many treasured nieces and nephews throughout the United States as well as in Canada.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Beulah, her father Hans, her father-in-law C.P., her mother-in-law Evelyn, her ex-husband Cliff, sisters Evelyn Lohn and husband Vic, Dorothy Pettinato and husband Bert, and Mayme Robischon and husband Jim, half brothers Alvin Jacobson and wife Marge, Henry Jacobson and wife Agnes, and half-sisters Emily Fossum and husband Leif, and Myrtle Jacobson, her brothers-in-law Jim, Richard, and Clarence Watts, her sister-in-law Signa Howe and husband Bill, and her brothers-in-law George Doane and Burt Wilson. She also sadly lost several nephews and a niece far too early in their lives as well as many dear friends.

Bev’s daughters wish to express our deep appreciation for the tremendous efforts given by the outstanding staff at Brendan House. They became Bev’s second family and her home for almost 11 years. She loved the activities, the games and the companionship and friendship of the staff and the other residents, which allowed her to feel part of a large family again. Thanks to their friendship and skilled and compassionate care, it was a happy place where she most wanted to be, and we will always be grateful to them.

In lieu of flowers or donations to charity, the family asks all to keep others safe by staying at home as much as possible, wearing a face mask when in public, avoiding gatherings, supporting your local healthcare workers, and getting the vaccine to protect those who are unable to take it for health reasons.