Dr. Alice Watson, Ph D., 86 of 402 N. 10th St., died at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Jeffersonian Nursing Home.

Dr. Watson a retired teacher, educator and world traveler, was born on Sept. 15, 1887, the daughter of Judge Albert and Mary Eunice (Way) Watson I.

Her father was the founder of the old King City Federal savings and Loan, and was a judge in the Illinois Supreme Court. He was the main speaker in the opening dedication of the Jefferson county court house in 1939.

Her mother was the founder of the Round Table Club and the Mt. Vernon Women's Club.

Miss Watson attended Mt. Vernon schools, and was graduated as valedictorian from Bishop Robertson Hall, a private school in St. Louis, in 1906.

Miss Watson studied in Rome with Maria Montessori, and founded the first Montessori school in California, at Santa Barbara. She also attended the University of California and Southern California University.

She was the founder and principal of Glendora Foot Hills school and taught in the San Diego County School system.

Later, she went to Columbia University in New York City, gaining her Ph D. She then served as principal at P.S. No 7 in New York City for many years.

Miss Watson returned to Mt. Vernon to retire, and remained active in all affairs of the Trinity Episcopal church and wrote many articles for education.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal church, with Fr. Neilson Rudd officiationg. Cremation will follow the services with burial of the ashes in Oakwood cemetery at a later date.Friends may call at the Hughey-Pulley Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Miss Watson is survived by two nephews, Lt. General Albert Watson, Sea Island, Ga., and Daniel S. Watson, houston, Texas; one niece, Marina Watson Gately, Houston, Texas; three grand-nephews, Lt. Col. Gordon B. Rogers, Mt. Vernon, and Susan Rogers Tate, Servena Park, Md.; a cousin, Mrs. Patricia Watson Shaw, Mt. Vernon; and 17 great-grand-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Memorial Fund of the Trinity Episcopal church, or the Build Fund of the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C. in care of the Trinity Episcopal church.

Miss Watson was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Marina Watson Frazier and Elizabeth Watson; and two brothers, Col. joel F. Watson and Allen Stanley Watson.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: May 1974
Submitted by: Rosemary Atkins