Erin Watson

Erin Higgins Watson passed away on February 14, 2018, at her beloved ranch in Blanco County, Texas.

Erin Higgins Watson was born in Austin, Texas, on January 24, 1938, to C.L. “Ox” Higgins and Ezma Taylor Higgins.

Erin often reflected that she had lived a long and wonderful life, and that one of best parts was growing up in Austin in the 1940s and 1950s. Erin made many lifelong friends while attending the Public Schools of Austin. From Wooldridge, to University Junior High, to graduation from Austin High School in 1956. Erin then followed her Father and older brother to The University of Texas at Austin in 1956, where she earned her BS in Home Economics. Erin fully participated in student life and activities. These included Cheerleader, Red Jackets, Orange Jackets and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

In 1960 Erin married John L. Bell, Jr., a UT law student from Beaumont, Texas. After John L’s graduation, Erin moved to Beaumont with her newly born daughter Jean. Erin and John L. had four children. Erin also helped raise several nieces and nephews.

Erin taught school after moving to Beaumont, but she always considered her primary role as someone who raised children to be proud of and providing a welcoming home for her family and the many friends she made there.

John L. predeceased Erin in 1992.

Erin married John Watson in 1994 and they have lived ever since at Loco Grande, her ranch on the banks of the Pedernales River. Erin and John traveled extensively both in the U.S. and to places they had always wanted to see including Egypt, Italy and whale watching and touching off the Baja peninsula. They spent many summers in Montana and she loved visiting the many National Parks they saw. One of her favorite memories was taking a raft­–floating trip through the entire length of the Grand Canyon.

Erin was an accomplished Contract Bridge player, a pleasure she continued after moving to her beloved Hill Country. An avid reader she also enjoyed the fellowship of the book club in Johnson City with many of the friends she made there. She was a founding member of the Liberal Ladies Lunch Club in Blanco County.

During the past three months Erin felt fortunate to celebrate her traditional Thanksgiving Day lunch at the ranch with more than 35 of her family present, Christmas with the Watson grandchildren, and her 80th birthday with parties with her family and her friends. As always Erin’s winning personality, her good cheer, her resilience and, her perseverance provided a wonderful example in character for all her family and friends.

Erin was predeceased by her parents; her infant daughter, Alane Bell; and her older brother, William Michael (Mike) Higgins.

Erin is survived by her husband, John Watson; children, Jean Moncla (husband Dennis); Tracy Levinson (husband Bruce); and Pat Bell (wife Daphne). Erin was blessed with seven grandchildren, Michelle, Kelly, Josh (wife Anne–Marie), Caroline, John, Walker and Owen) whom she loved very much. She is also survived by her brother, Pat Higgins (wife Janis); and her sister, Alane Reid (husband Jack); John’s son, David (wife Kate) and their four children, (Stuart, Emma, Jane and Julia) who brought much pleasure into her life; many loving nieces and nephews, and the many friends she made throughout her life.

Erin and John are particularly grateful for the loving caregivers Elaine Hart and Carol Carpenter, Hill Country Memorial Hospice Services and the many dedicated medical professionals who helped her for the past 2½ years.

A gathering of Erin’s family and friends will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, with her memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. A gathering of family and friends will follow immediately after the service at Broussard’s Event Centre, 1775 Calder Avenue, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, Erin can be honored by a contribution to a favorite charitable organization.

Erin’s wish is that everyone remember her as the vibrant, loving, fun–loving, adventurous, smart, kind, and generous woman she was throughout her long and fulfilling life. And perhaps raise a glass in her honor.

 Tribue by Mrs. Watson’s daughter, Jean Moncla:

ERIN HIGGINS BELL WATSON

I have to say that there was nothing easy about my Mom but that she was well worth the trouble. She was a strong outspoken lady who never left you guessing about how she felt about anything. I never could figure out why all of my friends moms were more like June Cleaver and I got Lucy. And it was a little more than embarrassing that she felt free to parent all of our friends and family’s children. Although I didn’t appreciate all of this at the time, I have come to understand that her outspoken and gregarious nature were what made her so special. She was dynamic, practical, a hard worker, a survivor, and had a lifelong love of family, friends and nature.

We all heard wonderful stories about her growing up in the Higgins house and what fun they had as a family and especially with her father, “Ox” Higgins a well-known leader in Austin and UT sports community who died tragically when she was a teenager. Her Mother, we called her MeMe, kept the family together in the family home on Townes Lane. Her older brother, Mike or as we knew him “Uncle Hig”, was her hero, her brother, Pat, was her steady support and her favorite sister, Alane, was her loyal companion.

Mother loved attending the University of Texas at Austin where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the UT Orange Jackets.  She also would tell us stories about her days at UT and her summers at Camp Mystic and how she loved them both. I was always amazed that Mother had so many close friends while growing up in Austin and that maintained those friendships throughout her life.

In 1960, she married our dad and moved to Beaumont to raise her family. She told us that she cried for 2 years saying, “Why have you brought me to this God forsaken swamp!” However, she came to love this place due the relationships that they both forged here. Dad nick-named her Lighting after his favorite horse growing up and because of her lack of speed.   We had great family times travailing to Meme’s house in Austin, Rosebud, the “Beer” lease and Christmas Eve’s at the Rienstra’s and Christmas Day’s in Jasper.   My parents had many close friends who became part of our family and we all enjoyed many wonderful times in Beaumont, Lake Travis, Magnolia Springs and later in Johnson City.

Mother was one of the founding members of a ladies therapy group that has met every Monday afternoon in Beaumont since the 1970’s. As a child of the “Group”, you knew not to ask what they talked about in their sessions and wondered if you were ever the topic of discussion. Mother became an accomplished duplicate bridge player and had wonderful times with her partners at the Bridge Studio and at tournaments. She passed on her love of reading and music to us, although I will admit that none of her children are big opera fans. We do have fond memories of her love of baking especially at Christmas when she was famous for her tea rings, cut out cookies and shortbread.

Mother was not afraid to take on responsibility.   She taught nursery school, and even Sunday school which may surprise some of you. She was a member of the Jr. League of Beaumont, where I am told she was always the first one to volunteer to pitch in to get the job done. Due to her practical nature, after she was the Jr. League secretary, she continued to use the league stationary with the JLB monogram that she had not returned because after all “It did have the Dad’s initials on it, too!”

Mother helped raise our cousins, the Carnes kids, following the death of their mother and provided devoted care to her mother-in-law (our grandmother), Claudia, as she suffered from Alzheimer’s. Mother even generously provided scholarships to the Carnes grandkids as they completed their first year of college.

Some of the life lessons we learned from my Mother included:

1. Stay close to your childhood friends, they will always be there for you;

2. Don’t hate your siblings…hate war and poverty (which Tracy once misquoted saying that we should only hate war and puberty!);

3. Be nice to everyone because they are just another poor soul trying to get along in this world;

4. Include everyone in family events (there were always “strays” at our family gatherings which I never appreciated until I became the town stray and learned how great it was to be included)

5. & most importantly, when traveling… “Never pass up a potty!”

Growing up, our friends always wanted to play at our house because Mom would let us play dress up, build blanket forts, put on plays, and stay outside with lots of unstructured play time. She always said that the best thing she could give her children was unconditional love and a good education. She told each of us, “I’ve always loved you the best but don’t tell the other two.” and the thing was…we all believed her!

Mother had a special relationship with each of her children. She was proud of our accomplishments and wrote each of us a letter on Mother’s Day in 1998 telling us so. It read:

…feeling sentimental and wanting each of you “my favorite child” to know that you have lived up to any and every expectation that your mom had ever had. You are responsible young adults with a good name and education and I am proud of each of you especially for your chosen spouses. If possible, I’ll always want to be your safety net-in the meantime I’m pleased with your independence. Happy Mother’s Day for me! Love, Mom

She told us that she had to think carefully when naming us because the Bell last name could easily become a double name here in the south. One example of her practical nature was when she had all three of us get our tonsils taken out at the same time because she said she was tired of us lining up every morning so that she could look at our sore throats. She ordered our first “big” TV to be delivered to the house stocked the house with ice cream & Jello, sent Dad hunting so that he wouldn’t have to watch his babies hurting and took care of us all by herself.

Mother and I were very different. I was a quiet & shy and a studious child. I’m not sure she knew what to do with me. Thank goodness for her openness in allowing each of us to be co-parented by all of our other Mothers. Some of mine include: Celia, Cinnie, Marilyn, Ellen, Amalie and Nancy. Mother always encouraged me to reach outside my comfort zone and try new things. Her support and counsel will always be with me, along with her voice in my head reminding me to put on lipstick.

Mother and Tracy are the most dynamic charismatic ladies I’ve ever known. They both have an ease about them that invites close friendships and intense discussions about substantive issues. They have a shared love of adventure and have been adamant cheerleaders for those they love. Some of the best times of my life have been spent with these two and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve laughed till I’ve cried with them. Mother and Tracy both share love of theater which Mother always nurtured in Tracy. She took her to New York to see plays and musicals and supported her when she went to California to study acting where she met the love of her life, Bruce.

And what can you say about PatBell? Mom named him after her dear brother, Pat, which was a true sign of her love for them both. As most of you know, Pat was an active and challenging child but he has turned out to be a fine husband & father.  At one point, she told Pat that he could call her anything but “Mother” going forward so Pat began calling her Woman and Frances. When they would get into an argument, he would always tell her, “Don’t talk to me in that soft voice!” PatBell has called our Mom every Sunday night to check in with her since he was in college.

When we were growing up she and Dad bought the “Loco Grande Ranch” outside of Johnson City along with our good friends the Webers, the Keiths and the Flattens. The Ranch became the true centering point for our family as well as a haven for good times, friends and family gatherings.

Following the early death of our Dad, Mom’s high school sweetheart, John Watson, found her and swept her off her feet. Poor John, he didn’t realize that he got all of us when he pursued mother…she was a package deal. They married quickly and relocated to the Texas Hill Country that they both loved. They used the Ranch as a home base for many years while they traveled all over the US and abroad. They loved to camp, hike and take long drives exploring the countryside and the National Parks. In recent years, Mother and John have enjoyed a quiet life on the river. They have a wonderful supportive group of Hill Country friends who all have enjoyed fun times on the porch at the Ranch watching the sun set over her favorite view of the river that included her “Magic” tree.

E’s grandkids will remember her trips to their homes with Aunt Alane, aka Aunt Muffin, to see their recitals, plays and sporting activities. Those fun times included games of “Thunder & Lighting” under the covers, jumping on the beds and lots of laughter. Mother and John even took a river rafting trip with Josh and Caroline. She said that would be her last time to sleep on the ground!

Mother had major setbacks in this life but she always pulled herself up and moved forward.   Before her surgery in 1979, she wrote us this lette   

Dear Precious Ones,

The Bells are survivors first and foremost. If anything happens to me,

you must promise yourselves that knowing you have been and are

loved will sustain you. I am convinced that this the answer to dealing

with the heartaches of this life. We’ve had our share of knocks, but oh

such good things. I wouldn’t trade places with anyone in this world. I

love you all. My only other message is that I plan to rip this page to

shreds by noon tomorrow….        E______________     (classic huh?)

Mother lived by what could have been the Higgins Family mottos:

1. If a little bit’s good, a whole lot’s better. (which she first applied to bourbon then to wine)   and then

2. If you can’t eat it, drink it or smoke it…what’s the point?! She did always enjoy a good party with good friends.

It was the joy of her life that John Watson found her and they were able to build her “second life” together. She cherished their time together and welcomed his children and grandchildren as her own.

Mother will be remembered for her strong personality, her generosity and her love of life & nature by her extended circle of family and friends. The Higgins Family Thanksgiving Gathering that she hosted each year at her beloved Hill Country home is a time honored tradition that we will certainly continue…strays included.

I think that would make her happy.