Edith Durfee Watson

Ede Watson was a resident of Sarasota for 66 years. She was born in Norfolk, Va to Florence Post and Thomas Durfee, as the eldest of four children. She lived in Wickford, RI during her early years, body surfing at Bonnett Shores, valedictorian at North Kingston H.S., receiving a full scholarship to college but she was denied ‘because we have no money to send you’. She then received a full scholarship to Katie Gibbs Secretarial School in Providence and graduated magna cum laude. Ede met her future husband on a blind date for a hockey game (not a fan). She married Theodore T. Watson on August 3, 1940. They survived WW2 with husband Ted in the Pacific for 18 mos. Ede was a ‘one man dishwasher, housekeeper and front desk person’ for a motel co-owned with her father in law. After many miscarriages and the death of a 3 day old boy, they gave birth to a daughter in 1948. In 1951 they followed their dream to live in the warmth of Florida. Together Ede and Ted built their life in Sarasota, forming a general contracting company, T.T. Watson Inc., which changed the ethos and skyline of Sarasota. Ted was very active in the community and entertaining friends and business colleagues was a huge part of Ede’s life. They helped found the Field Club and were enthusiastic supporters. Ede was an integral part of Ted’s success giving fabulous parties at their gorgeous home, in charge of bidding by the subcontractors and ‘keeping the books’. She participated in the Player’s Theater, volunteered in Central Supply at the Hospital which she loved but had to give up when Ted founded the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation. She was a fierce competitor at mahjong, gin rummy, scrabble and duplicate bridge. She also made exquisite needlepoint and knitting masterpieces. Ede loved her three rescue ‘Bamboo’ dogs. Ede was an elegant lady, genuine, generous, kind, modest and beautiful and a Sarasota icon. I, her daughter, will miss her soul, smile and deep love for me. She is survived by longtime friend and housekeeper, Frances Lund, and sister Cindy Washburn, along with several nieces and nephews. Thank you to everyone at Bay Village, her home for the last 9 years. She received excellent and compassionate care from all staff. Services will be at Bay Village on Thursday, December 7 at 10 am; all are invited. Donations are not necessary but may be made to your Charity of choice.