02/16/2010 - Antonia "Tonie" Watson

Antonia (Tonie) Watson, age 84 of Bridgeport, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2010.  Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at All Souls Catholic Church, 617 R  Street, Bridgeport, Nebraska with Father Dave Rykwalder officiating.  Burial will be at the Bridgeport Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery.  Friends may visit at the All Souls Catholic Church in Bridgeport on Monday, February 15, 2010 from 1-4 or 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.  A Christian vigil service and Rosary will be held on Monday, February 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the All Souls Catholic Church.  Memorials may be made to All Souls Church.  Her obituary may be viewed at www.jolliffefuneralhome.com where condolences may be left for the family.  Joliffe Funeral Home of Bridgeport is in charge of arrangements. 

Tonie was born February 14, 1925 in Caiberan, Leyte, Philippines, the oldest daughter of Sona and Claudia Yu Tiampo.  She received her education from Cebu City High School and at St.  Paul’s Jr. College in Tacloban,  Leyte, Philippines.  During World War II she was employed with the United States Army Western Pacific, in the Military Censorship Detachment.  When the war was over, she was transferred to the 137^th Replacement Depot, Air Force.  She was later assigned to the Adjutant Generals office in charge of morning reports, G-3 Operation and Supply where she met and married her husband, George Watson on November 3, 1946. They remained in the Philippines until 1948 when her husband was reassigned to Ft. Riley, Topeka, Kansas.  They moved to Bridgeport, Nebraska when her husband was discharged from the military and Bridgeport remained her home for 58 years. In 2009, she moved to Chadron, Nebraska to be closer to her family. 

She was employed at the Heritage nursing home and the Bridgeport Community Hospital and retired after 41 years of service.  She was very active in the community as a 4-H leader for 20 years, the scouting program, PTA, as a CCD teacher and news correspondent for the Catholic West Nebraska Register.  She was a member of the Bridgeport Federated Garden Club, American Legion Auxiliary, District Conference of Catholic Women, All Souls Catholic Women and Spiritual Enrichment team and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. 

Her family and friends were always an important part of her life.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, photography, acting as historian for the church and she loved to entertain. 

Tonie is survived by her children, sons Rick (Pat) Watson of Fremont, George (Kit) Watson of Chadron, and daughters, Dianne (Tim) Turman of Wahoo, and Karen (Andy) Pope of Chadron, fifteen grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, three sisters, Antonieta Salomon and Carolinn Chan of Cebu City, Philippines, Maria Rubi of Poplar Bluffs, Missouri, brother Serge Tiampo of Wilmington, California, a half brother Salustriano Yu Tiampo of Manila and numerous nieces and nephews.   

Tonie was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, George Watson Sr., her parents, 3 brothers and two infant sisters.  A memorial has been established for the All Souls Catholic Church.