Elizabeth Anne Rugh Watts
May 25, 1927 – January 23, 2018
Birthplace: Mt. Sterling, OH

Elizabeth (known by most as Betty) was the first daughter born to Rev. Verling and Lucile Brown Rugh. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology at The Ohio State University, graduating in 1948. She met Admiral Arnold Watts, WWII veteran, at OSU and was married on February 1, 1948. Through their marriage they moved many times due to his aeronautical and metallurgical engineering career in Ohio, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and New York.

Betty loved: golf, bridge, bowling, growing African violets, collecting paperweights, gardening with the “Alle-Katz”, playing Clare de Lune on her piano, completing the Word Scramble in the Ellicottville newspaper, collecting stamps and coins. She also loved to cook and bake the family recipes. She was an incredibly creative woman who sewed many items for her daughters and herself, and also designed many decorations for her husband’s “Guys and Dolls” parties and other events.

As her children were approaching their college years, she worked for multiple companies in NY and Ohio including the Ecumenical Task Force for Love Canal.

She was very active member of the United Church of Ellicottville including singing in the choir and annual Cantata and assisting with Church finances. She enjoyed the companionship of her cats, Maui and Peek-a-boo, and many local friendships.

For the last 5 1/2 years, she lived at the Pines Rehabilitation Home in Machias, NY and we give thanks for the respect and care she received from the nursing staff there and Nita Widger.

Surviving are her two sisters: Karis Lyon (Akron, OH) and Mary Sedoris (Robert, brother-in-law) (Springfield, OH) and five children: Keith & Judy (daughter-in-law) (York, ME), Lee (Rowley, MA), Linda (Colorado Springs, CO), Cheryl (Ellicottville, NY), Carole & Graham (son-in-law)(Cypress, TX). She adored her six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Service of Celebration for her life will be held at the United Church of Ellicottville, 53 Elizabeth Street, Ellicottville, NY on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 3 PM, with a reception following.

Her interment will occur on Monday, January 29, 2018 in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation or the Nannen Arboretum, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, NY 14731.

E-condolences may be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.