Dorothy Palmer Watson

Dorothy Palmer Watson passed away in Carson City April 16, 2008, one week before her 90th birthday.

Dorothy was born April 23, 1918 to Walter Palmer and Emma Nevada Palmer (Munk) in Reno. Her father moved to Reno from Maine in 1889, and her mother was born in Lovelock in 1889. Dorothy attended Reno schools, including the University of Nevada Reno, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She married Kenneth Watson June 1940, in Reno. While Ken served in the Army Air Corp in World War II, Dorothy stayed in Reno, working at First National Bank and raising their daughter Nancy.

After the war the family moved to the Carson Valley, where they had daughter Susan and son Steven. They owned and operated the Minden Dry Goods until 1968. Dorothy was a member of the Carson Valley Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school. She was active in a number of organizations in the Carson Valley: she was president of the Fortnightly Club, a 4-H leader, Cub Scout den leader, and worked with the Rainbow Girls. She was an enthusiastic bridge player.

After six months of retirement, Dorothy went to work for the Department of Motor Vehicles. She retired from the Nevada Welfare Division in 1981. Dorothy loved Nevada and explored most of the state's back roads. Dorothy and Ken traveled the U.S, and the world, and especially loved their trips to Europe and Asia. Her favorite place depended on the day she was asked. It was Egypt - or it might have been Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali or Spain or possibly Lake Tahoe, Death Valley or the Oregon coast.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Kenneth, in 2001, her parents and brother Walter Palmer.

She is survived by daughters Nancy Pfaff (Donald) of Reno and Susan Borda (Dana) of Carson City, and son Steven (Anita) of Carson City. She loved and enjoyed her seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: granddaughters Kristina Pfaff of Reno, Beverly Borda of Sparks, and Bonnie Hoffecker (Craig) of Carson City; grandsons Nicholas Pfaff of Reno, Andrew (Stefanie) of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Joshua (Belinda) of Reno; and Lucas (Cassandra) of Carson City, and great-grandsons Taylor Pfaff of Reno; William of Carson City, Damien, Sean and Alexander of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Liam of Reno; and great-granddaughters Ayla of Reno and Kenadie of Carson City.

Her family and friends will miss Dorothy Emma Palmer Watson: Mom, Grandma, GG, DP and friend.