Jeanne Marie Watts - Obituary

eanne Marie Watts, age 66, of Crownsville, MD, died Saturday, February 24 at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. She passed away peacefully in her sleep during the morning hours after having been diagnosed with cancer only weeks earlier. Jeanne was born August 20, 1957, in Washington D.C. to the late Joseph and Rowena Glass. She graduated from Oxon Hill High School and spent her entire life in Maryland. As a child and well into adulthood, she would travel to Garrett, PA each summer to attend a large family reunion with her mother who had 16 siblings. Jeanne met her future husband, Michael Watts, through her high school friend and sister in law, Janelle Watts. Michael and Jeanne were married on December 8, 1979, and had two sons, Garrett and Clayton. In 1990 their lives were forever changed when Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer. For the next 9 years, Jeanne cared for him, all the while raising the boys and working outside the house. After her husband’s passing in 1999, Jeanne poured her energy and devotion into caring for their sons. Jeanne had many friends, perhaps none closer than a group she referred to as “The Owls.” These friends met while volunteering in their children’s classrooms. They loved one another and shared many adventures through the years. Jeanne loved Elvis Presley so much that she had a life-sized cut-out standing in her bedroom. Anyone who visited would also see she had two other loves—strawberries and sunflowers—which adorned her home. After high school, Jeanne proved to be a natural teacher, leading a preschool classroom at Teeny Weeny Day Care in Oxon Hill for many years. In 2000, Jeanne joined Indian Creek School in Crownsville, MD. She served in many roles over 24 years: in the cafeteria, behind the wheel of a bus, at the front desk, as well as in the classroom and aftercare. She was an integral part of the school and was dearly loved for her pragmatism and sense of humor. She was also an expert baker and for many years ran a side-business baking and decorating cakes. Jeanne will be remembered for her selflessness, caring spirit and loving warmth. At home and at work, she touched thousands of lives. Her memory will live on in our hearts. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Michael and her parents, Joseph and Rowena Glass. She is survived by her sons, Garrett and Clayton of Crownsville, MD; her brother, Roger Glass of Hagerstown, MD and her sister, Diana Denison of Williamsburg, VA. Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Family and Friends are invited to celebrate Jeanne's life on Sunday, March 10 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD where her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 11 at 11 am. Interment will follow at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville, MD. Please leave a message for the family by using the memories tab on this page.