City woman was giving, patient and understanding?

NEW HAVEN -- Lillian Watson was greatly amused by the youth oftoday. "She often talked to my sister and me about today's youthcompared to when she was young," said a daughter, Antoinette Perryof New Haven. "She would say how the young folks today don't reallyunderstand the meaning of hard work. She said this because she grewup on a farm, working from sun up to sundown with no set hours.

"She would laugh when any young person would say to her, 'Oh I'mso tired,' when they hadn't actually done anything."

Watson died Feb. 10 at age 65.

Born April 20, 1945, in Virginia, a daughter of Samuel and LillieWatson, she moved to New Haven as an adult and worked for Second NewHaven Bank.

A parishioner of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Watson alsowas a church clerk and blood donor. She also collected goods forhospitals, shelters and schools.

In her spare time, she liked to play Internet games, do crafts,dance, shop, go to the casinos, do word search puzzles, garden,cook, bake, sing, watch TV game shows and collect angel figurines,

Watson liked to say, "Always respect your elders" and "You shouldalways follow your heart."

Her other daughter, Michelle Jones of New Haven, said her motherwas very understanding and had a lot of patience. "She also was verygiving," she said. "She was always there for me."

A nephew, Dexter Jones of Hamden, said his aunt was his firstplaymate. "She was one of the sweetest people in the world," hesaid. "She sacrificed things for herself to do for others."

Former co-worker and close friend Terri Smolley of Waterbury saidWatson was like a second mother to her. "She was my boss at the bankfor many years, and we just hit it off," she said. "We kept in closecontact over the years, and would catch up on family and meet forlunch. She was a great person, always dressed to the nines and sheloved to laugh."

Watson "was very cheerful and always had an inspirational wordfor everybody," said Perry. "She was very positive and outgoing,giving and helpful. She was a good listener and advice-giver. All myfriends came to her for advice, and she was like their second mom."

Watson also leaves a two sisters; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.