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Ilamae Olson Watters

1926 - 2018

Ilamae Olson Watters obituary, 1926-2018, Durango, CO

BORN

1926

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue

Durango, Colorado

Ilamae Watters Obituary

Ilamae (Olson) Watters died on December 10, 2018 at her home in the Animas Valley in Durango, CO. She was 92 years old.

She is survived by her children John Watters (wife Nancy), Mary Jo Watters Gage (deceased husband Randy) and Donna Lee Watters Pettingill (husband Richard). She is also survived by grandchildren Melinda Gage Goodson, Bree Pettingill McDonald (husband Jeremy), Lara Gage, Christine Gage and Stacy Pettingill as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Ilamae was born on January 3rd, 1926 at her family home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado to Eva (Shields) and A.W. Olson. She attended elementary school in Pagosa Springs before moving to Portland, Oregon to attend junior high and high school. She was very active in high school and served as the President of the Jr./ Sr. Honor Society, President of the Music Club, Vice President of the Senior Class and was first chair flute in the high school band.

Following graduation, she attended University of Colorado where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority as well as other organizations on campus. She often joked that she majored in extra-curricular activities, but in reality earned a degree with a distributed major in mathematics, psychology, physics and education.

Her first job out of college was as a teacher in Sterling, Colorado where she was the top paid teacher in the district. Her salary was $200 per month. The following summer she returned to Pagosa and began working for Dr. John Button as his assistant. They married in 1948 and would have a son, John Jr. and a daughter, Mary Jo. The marriage ended in tragedy when Dr. Button's plane was lost near Creede, CO. during the winter of 1951. She would marry a second time in 1954 when she met Don Watters. To this union would be born a daughter, Donna Lee.

Ilamae was a well-known teacher in Durango, having taught for the Durango School District for 33 years. During that time she was a member of Neo-Delphian, Eastern Star, the Durango Reading Club, charter member of the Durango Sewing Club and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 65 years. Her true passion was Bridge and in 2018 she was awarded the Golden Age Master certificate from the American Contract Bridge League.

Most importantly, Ilamae was the matriarch of a large and loving family. She enjoyed traveling with her sister and mother while they were alive and afterwards, with her children and grandchildren. One of her favorite things to do was to go to Pagosa Springs to take a hot bath in the mineral waters. Of her life she wrote, "I am blessed. I have such a nice family, a multitude of wonderful friends, apparently good health, and my memories."

She is preceded in death by her mother, Eva (Shields) Olson, father A.W. Olson, husbands Dr. John Button and Donald Watters and her dear sister, Eva Jean.

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, December 15th, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 1159 Third Avenue, Durango, Colorado. Interment at the Greenmont Cemetery will immediately follow the service. Following interment, the family invites everyone to join them at Ilamae's home, 335 County Road 250, Durango, CO for a light repast.

Published by The Durango Herald on Dec. 12, 2018.
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OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS GREAT TIME OF LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER. MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE PEACE AND COMFORT THAT ONLY HE CAN DO. MAY YOU LET THE GOOD MEMORIES LIVE ON. THE COLCORD'S, ELBERT AND MARILYN

MARILYN COLCORD

December 22, 2018

We all loved you so deeply Grandma Mae! You will be missed!
Thank you for the beautiful life you lived!

Grace Johnson

December 18, 2018

Belated , My deepest sympathy to your family . May you keep in mind the hope of life everlasting which can help sustain you through this difficult time . John 17:3

Earnie

December 18, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Scott Maycock

December 15, 2018

Ilamae was my first mentor in teaching at Miller Junior High in the 80's. I loved keeping in touch with her through Christmas letters over the years and having lunch in Durango when I visited. She was a gracious, caring, beautiful person.

Ann Scott

December 15, 2018

Dear Mary Jo and John.... dad sent me an email and said to google your mom's obit in the Durango Herald , so I did. She and my dad are same age. I don't remember ever meeting your mother but she sounds amazing and you are lucky to have had her for so long. Mom's are special and you'll forever miss her. I'm so very sorry. I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow. Patty Black Powell

Patty Powell

December 14, 2018

What true joy Ilamae was and brought into everyones's lives.
She glowed with love for her family and always expressed absolute admiration for each and everyone of them. It has been a blessing to know her and to hear her very interesting life stories. Ilamae always had a chuckle going, always and forever bringing smiles to those who knew her. Thank you for Ilamae, whose humor and love will live on and on.
Sincerest condolences to her family,
Melani Woodruff

Melani Woodruff

December 14, 2018

How well I remember serving with Ilamae in NeoDelphians in the 1960's. She was a wonderful member because she had a desire to serve our community. Anne Isgar

December 14, 2018

A truly loving and graceful person;she will be missed by all. An angel has gone home.

M G

December 14, 2018

Ilamae was a wonderful bright light in both mine and my mother's lives. I loved seeing her; she was always cheerful and had interesting things to say. She was like a second mom to me. I will miss her so! Goddaughter Tina

December 13, 2018

Claudia Weidman Furlow

December 13, 2018

I will miss Ilamae's always positive attitude, smiles and enjoyment of the church choir. I enjoyed her greetings in the Durango Recreation Center pool. She showed her joy of family and friends. What a beautiful soul! Jan Postler

December 12, 2018

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Memorial Events
for Ilamae Watters

Dec

15

Funeral

10:00 a.m.

the First Presbyterian Church

1159 Third Avenue, Durango, CO

Dec

15

Interment

Greenmount Cemetery

CO

Funeral services provided by:

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

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