Mary Lee Watts (née Philippy) was born to eternal life on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, age 89 years in the arms of her family. Beloved wife of the late Leonard. Loving mother of Gail (Jose) and the late Carter. Cherished grandmother of Victor, Alex (Maria) and Simon. Great grandmother of Deklan. Wonderful aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Mary was born to Sidney and Marion Philippy on September 18, 1931 in Chicago, IL. She grew up in Skokie with her sister and best friend, the late Marjorie. Mary attended Northwestern’s Evanston Hospital School of Nursing and after graduation in 1952, worked in the Polio ward with revolutionary Iron Lung patients in infectious diseases and later orthopedics. Mary met Leonard through mutual friends and they married on February 8, 1959 in Evanston, IL. They moved to Muskego, WI in 1965 where she raised her family and was active in her church and community. Mary later worked at St Francis Hospital in the ER as well as Outpatient and Chemo Clinic.
Mary took great pride in her home and property. She was a master gardener, growing a bounty of crops to feed her family throughout the year as well as infusing her neighborhood with a plethora of color and beauty from the variety of flowers, trees and shrubs in her meticulously maintained yard. Neighbors would see her straw hat poking up between bushes from April through October. She was an exceptional seamstress and a fantastic scratch cook. Mary also enjoyed puzzles of every kind, watching baseball and reading. She was active in her church, taking part in OWLS and Ladies Aide. Mary and Leonard spent their retirement years traveling near and far with their Card Club friends, in their motor home, many elder hostels with relatives and trips to Europe to rediscover their heritage.
Perhaps Mary’s most passionate endeavor was being a grandmother. Her three grandsons brought her great joy and she was actively involved in every stage of their upbringing. She supported them in all of their school functions, programs, athletic events and milestones but particularly enjoyed creative play and teaching them about nature.
Special thanks to the extraordinary team of caregivers led by Chrissy and Pam at New Perspective Franklin who provided compassionate care during her final months while Alzheimer’s disease diminished her sharp mind and healthy body.
A Christian Memorial Service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday April 24, 2021 at St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muskego, WI. Visitation will be from 10:00am to time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Paul’s Muskego.