Juanita (Hansen) WATSON

HANSEN, WATSON, MCCLANAHAN, DOTY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/30/2010 at 10:59:01

Juanita Watson, 89, of Grand Island died Monday, April 19, 2010, in Greeley, Colo., following a brief illness. She was born Juanita Hansen on Feb. 28, 1921, in Galt, Iowa. She attended Hastings College where she trained to become an actress. She married Raymond Watson, Jr. in Seattle, Wash., in 1943. He preceded her in death on April 9, 2008. As an actress, Juanita achieved success in New York, Cape Cod, and at the Elitch Theatre in Denver. She appeared on stage with Lillian Gish, Helen Hayes, Katharine Cornell and the comedienne Zasu Pitts. She also acted with Jerry and Dick Van Dyke. Her last professional appearance as an actress was in the 1952 movie, Red Skies of Montana with actor, Richard Widmark. Juanita was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church, a 58 year member of the Grand Island PEO chapter CK. She was an excellent cook, a designer of fine china, and an avid collector of art ceramics.

She is survived by daughters, Pamela McClanahan and Deborah Doty, both of Eaton, Colo.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, Donald Hansen of Woodland Hills, Calif.; and by a host of friends, including, Nancy Baker and Dixie Best of Grand Island. Private services will be held. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice Care.

The Grand Island Independent - Nebraska
April 21, 2010