Josephine Elaine Harris Watt

Elaine Harris Watt, Josephine �Elaine� H. Watt, 86, died October 4, 2011 at the Hearth of Windemere Assisted Living Facility in Fishers, IN after suffering progressive Alzheimer�s. Born in Chula, MO, to L. Vernon and Nettie Jane Harris, Elaine grew up in Independence, MO and spent the last 47 years of her life in Indianapolis, IN. Elaine is survived by husband, John Robert Watt; sister, Parkie Copeland; and children, Gavin (Toni) Watt, George (Billie Jene) Watt, Andy (Carol) Watt, Robert (Caroline) Watt, and Heather (John) Dietz. Elaine also has 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Virginia Jones; son, Scott; and daughter, Jean Snow. Elaine attended William Chrisman High School in Independence where she fell in love with John, her husband of 65 years. During WWII she attended and graduated from Park College n Parkville, MO. After graduation and repatriation, John and Elaine married and moved to Manhattan, KS both to attend Kansas State where Elaine earned a Master�s degree in Speech Communication. John and Elaine had their first son, before moving to Ellis, KS, where they had three more boys. The couple moved to Omaha, NE, in 1955 where Elaine taught at Omaha University and directed theater at Dana College. Elaine began a lifelong love of puppetry in 1956 when she worked as a puppeteer and scriptwriter for a local network, KMTV. John and Elaine moved to Wichita, KS where their first daughter was born. A few years later, they moved to Toronto, ON, and Elaine gave birth to their sixth child. In 1964, the couple settled in Indianapolis and completed their family of seven with the birth of their daughter. After retirement, the empty nesters built a home in McCordsville, IN. While living in Indianapolis, Elaine taught speech at IUPUI�s downtown campus for 18 years. She also worked at the Mental Health Association of Indiana and retired from Methodist Hospital. As an active member of Irvington Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Elaine founded a puppet ministry that performed for years at local churches, children�s homes, and nursing homes. She also found time to lead the local 4-H troop and she presented papers as a member of the Parrhesian Club. She was a frequent patron of local arts, a world traveler, and talented photographer. Visitation will tale place on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Irvington Presbyterian Church, 55 Johnson Avenue. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer�s Association where a fund has been established in her name (hhtp://act.alz.org/goto/Elaine,Watt). Arrangements entrusted to Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel.

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Josephine Elaine Harris Watt

January 23, 1925 - October 4, 2011