Betty Jane Watters

                         Betty Jane Watters, age 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 15 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg after a long and courageous struggle with COPD.   Betty was born on November 7, 1923 in Vesper, WI, the daughter of Gilbert and Jesse Young.   She graduated from Wausau High School in 1941 and attended one semester at UW Madison.   During WWII she proudly worked as a research assistant at Forest Products Laboratory while living with her aunt and uncle, Esther and Pat Christenson.   Betty met a special WWII Navy Veteran, Bill, at an American Legion dance in 1946 and they were married 3 years later in Milwaukee on August 27, 1949.   They happily celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last fall.                  
                           Bill and Betty loved Madison, and eventually settled here for good in 1959 to raise their family.   Betty was a long time member of St Maria Goretti Catholic Parish.                              Betty is survived by her three children, Ann (Dennis) Dolan of Madison, George (Barb) Watters, of Indianapolis, and Dan Watters of Albuquerque; eight grandchildren, Brian and Andrew Dolan, Jennifer , Jason, Aaron (Tory) Watters, Taylor, Summer, Chance Watters, sister-in-law, Lois Young, and other extended family members.   She was preceded in death by her parents, her youngest son, David, and her brother, Russell Young.                               Betty loved and believed in angels, but in fact, she was an angel on earth.   Above and beyond all else, she was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many who will be deeply missed.   We love you so much, and your spirit will be with us always.                                                                                                                                                                A visitation will be held from 4 pm until 7 pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am at ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH,   5313 Flad   Ave.,   Madison on Thursday, March 18, 2010, with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service.                                                                                                                                                The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in Betty's name to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish, Catholic Relief Services, or CurePSP (Foundation for PSP and related brain diseases.)