Ann Louise Curtis Wattson

Beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Ann passed peacefully June 20 at the age of 79. Born Jan. 9th, 1931, to Dr. Charles and Harriet Ream Curtis in Glendale, she was raised in Pasadena where she had a wonderful childhood. Her father practiced medicine, as well as raising thoroughbreds that were raced mostly at Santa Anita Race Track. She and her sister, Jane, always had horses to ride and would often enjoy riding the trails through the Arroyo.

Ann was a princess three times over, twice with the Tournament of Roses Court, and also as Helen of Troy at USC. A Trojan through and through, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Not only did she attribute some of her fondest memories to the university, it is also where she met the love of her life and the man who would become her husband, Donald Wattson.

Together they raised four children on Balboa Island and later in Corona del Mar until his death in 1974. They were active members of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, participating passionately in yacht racing and weekends in Catalina at Moonstone Cove.

After Don’s passing, she continued on as an amazing single parent due in large part to the generous love and support of truly amazing friends.

Ann was one of the early members of the Newport Harbor Service League, which later became the Junior League of Orange County, as well as one of the first volunteers to serve at the Coffee Garden in CdM. Later, she was an active member of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. She will be fondly remembered for the field trips she organized through the museum to some of Southern California’s most famous points of interest.

Always one to keep up with the boys, she would cheer on her favorite sports teams with total exuberance, enjoying mostly football, basketball and golf.

She was truly an elegant woman, whose strength of character, charm and wit will not soon be forgotten. She will be greatly missed by her children Susan Wattson Kenney (Skip), Donald “Tony” Wattson, Jr. (Chris), Gregory Wattson (Judith) and Jeffery Wattson; as well as her grandchildren (respectively), Kristin and Megan; Trey, Sarah and Brent; Greer and Shaye. Her sister, Jane Hougham Connolly survives Ann.

On Tuesday, June 29, there will be a Ceremony at Sea with boats departing the main dock of Newport Harbor Yacht Club at 10:30 a.m., followed by a celebration of Ann’s life at Newport Harbor Yacht Club at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation or the Balboa Yacht Club Maritime Sciences and Seamanship Foundation.