Shirley Ann (Borcherding) Watson passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
Shirley was born on January 28, 1929, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. During her final days, Shirley was blessed to receive visits from all of her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She celebrated her 92nd birthday in her own home surrounded by her family.
Shirley married the love of her life, John Howard Watson, on October 17th, 1952 in Lincoln, Nebraska. They were married for nearly sixty-eight years. They were blessed with four children, Mark Howard Watson (Denise), Bruce Edward Watson (Anne), the late Paul Daniel Watson (Lori), and Janet Marie Smith (Dr. Samuel Smith). They were blessed with twelve grandchildren, Jacob Daniel Watson (Jene), Hannah Jean Blumenthal (Ben), John Raymond Watson, Jess Edward Watson, Sara Mary Cummings (Cory), Amy Leigh Kulas (Tyler), Nathaniel Howard Smith (Jenny), Rebecca Mary Smith, Eric Benjamin Smith, Tyler Edward Smith (Alanna), Ryan Daniel Smith, and Julia Ann Smith. Shirley was further blessed with four great grandchildren,
Jasper, Brock, and Evie Smith (Nathan and Jenny) and Levi Howard Blumenthal (Hannah and Ben). She was also thrilled to recently learn there are three more great grandchildren coming this summer.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, her son, Paul, her parents, Earl and Hazel Borcherding, and her sister, Jane Tidwell.
Shirley’s father died very young and she and her sister were raised by her mother in Nebraska City. After high school graduation Shirley moved with her mother and sister to Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended the Lincoln School of Commerce where she earned her secretarial degree. She worked her way through college and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Education in 1952. Shirley met Howard on a blind date at a University
of Nebraska Football game in 1951. They married the following October and Shirley moved to Alliance, Nebraska.
Shirley had a heart for her community and never hesitated to fill a need. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, a leader of the woman’s group, and the organizer for funeral dinners for many years. She also dedicated her time and energy to the American Legion Auxiliary, PEO, and the Box Butte General Hospital Auxiliary. Both Shirley and Howard shared a love for golf and she was a member of the Alliance Women’s Golf Club Association.
Shirley and her husband, Howard, were lifelong sports fans of the Alliance Bulldogs and Nebraska Cornhuskers. On her honeymoon, Howard convinced Shirley to drive from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Alliance, Nebraska, on their final day to get back home in time for an Alliance Bulldog football game. Through the years, Shirley and Howard enjoyed their time together playing cards with friends, golfing, square dancing, and traveling in their retirement years. She was an avid bridge player and loved her friends in the numerous bridge clubs. Many fond family memories involved yearly vacations to Chadron State Park. Most of all, Shirley loved spending time with her beloved husband, Howard, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They will miss her warm smile, infectious bouts of laughter, zest for life, and her genuine care for everyone. Shirley showed us all how to live a life full of grace, quiet strength, and humility. Shirley and Howard will forever remain role models for their family and community on how to live for the things that truly matter. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and we
were very blessed to have her in our lives.
The family requests charitable donations be made to the Presbyterian Church Memorial or Regional West Hospice.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021, at Bates-Gould Funeral Home from 1 to 7p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 18th, 2021, at 1p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Alliance, Nebraska. The church requests that attendees wear masks entering and leaving the church and practice social distancing. Shirley will be laid to rest by her
husband Howard at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Alliance.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.