Florence Ann Watjen

February 13, 2024

Florence “Ann” Roschlau Watjen, 92, beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and dear friend, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024, at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. Prior to residing in Massachusetts since 2021, Ann was a resident of Hamden, CT, for over 60 years.

Ann was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York, on June 5, 1931. Her parents were Charles Ernest Roschlau and Florence Almeda Colby Schaubhuth. Her sister was Doris Roschlau Marianiello. On April 28, 1951, Ann married Robert “Bob” Norman Watjen, also from Jamaica, NY; they were happily married until Bob’s death in March, 2007. Ann’s surviving children are MaryAnn Watjen (Christopher Larson), Robert H Watjen (Susan Fontaine Watjen), and Hayley C Larson, granddaughter. Ann is also survived by many nieces, a nephew, and close friends from her years attending Dunbar United Church of Christ in Hamden.

Ann graduated from the High School of Music & Art, Manhattan, NY, in 1949, having studied piano and voice. Following her high school graduation, she worked in the Empire State Building until she married Bob. In 1960, Ann, Bob and their children moved from Long Island, NY, to Hamden. Ann was very active at the Dunbar United Church in the Women’s Fellowship, making pies for the annual Apple Festival, serving as the Music Committee Chairperson, and singing in the choir. For many years, she and Bob sang “Oh, Holy Night” for the Christmas Eve service, a tradition that the congregation loved.

A memorial service will be held in the spring or early summer at Dunbar United Church, at 767 Benham Street, Hamden, CT. Interment will follow at the church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Dunbar United Church of Christ, Habitat for Humanity of New Haven, or the Alzheimer’s Association, South Central Chapter CT.