Friends and family pay tribute to Mary Watson
“ANYBODY who knew Mary could not help but love her,” said Art Watson in paying tribute to his beloved wife of 38 years, who died at the age of 71 last Thursday.
Esentepe resident Mrs Watson, who moved to the TRNC with her husband in 2008, was renowned for devoting her time to charity work by helping people in need through local community groups.
Beginning with the Little Society of Kyrenia (Lsok) after meeting its founder, John Graham, Mrs Watson then became involved with the Esentepe Fun, Run and Ramble (Efrar) in 2012, when Mr Watson was its chairman, a position that Mrs Watson took over in 2018. Among her achievements as chairman was setting an alltime record for the event by raising some 240,000TL for the Help Those With Cancer
Association (Tulips). When the Efrar committee disbanded, Mrs Watson devoted her efforts to raising funds for Ziyamet Special Needs School by joining the Making a Difference (MAD) community group, which also recently disbanded.
“In terms of charity work, Mary was an inspiration with great leadership skills,” said Mr Watson.
“She was a superb motivator who made a success of everything she did and she deserves much applause for all her accomplishments . . .”
Mrs Watson was admitted to hospital two weeks ago for treatment to a chronic kidney disorder, with an urgent request for blood for her being made by Mr Watson.
Following assistance from the founding chairman of the Help Those With Cancer Association (Tulips), Raziye Kocaismail, and Adem and Seda Bayman, the necessary quantity of blood soon came in.
However, despite the efforts of doctors at the University of Kyrenia Hospital — and signs of a recovery — Mrs Watson could not be saved and her funeral took place at the local cemetery on Wednesday, with the blessing of Esentepe Mayor, Cemal Erdoğan.
The dedicated charity worker’s life was celebrated by her family, including three children who travelled from the UK, and close friends, at Stone Castle restaurant where almost 4,000TL was raised for Ziyamet Primary School, as she had requested.
“All of us are devastated,” said a grieving Mr Watson, who thanked everyone for the “overwhelming support” that he had received since his loss.
Sue Steel, who worked with Mr and Mrs Watson on the Efrar committee, also paid tribute to her former community group colleague, saying: “Mary was a wonderful friend and someone who put others first. She will be greatly missed.”
A tribute programme to Mary Watson will be aired at 11am today and 5pm tomorrow on BRT Radio’s Main Event programme.