Margaret Hewitt Watson

Margaret Hewitt Watson, 79 years old, passed away on May 1, 2023, at Country Meadows of South Hills in Bridgeville, PA.  Margaret (“Peggy” to friends and family) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 29, 1943.  She was the daughter of the late James Randolph Hewitt and Veronica Doyle Hewitt of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She was the beloved wife of the late James N. Watson, who had moved to Pittsburgh from England.  Margaret is survived by her brother James R. Hewitt and sister-in-law Linda Hewitt of Holly Springs, North Carolina. She was a devoted aunt to Caroline Hewitt of Apex, NC and Christopher Hewitt of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Peggy went to Mt. Lebanon High School and then graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee with a degree inElementary Education in 1961. She later graduated from the U. of Pittsburgh with a second degree in Library Science and worked in the Children’s Department at the Main Branch of the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, PA as well as with the Library’s County Bookmobile.

After her marriage to James N. Watson in 1972, Peggy devoted herself to volunteer work and homemaking.  She also acted as secretary and administrative assistant for her husband’sindependent structural engineering firm. Peggy and Jim traveled regularly, and treated family members to trips; most notably Peggy took her niece Caroline and her nephew Christopher on separate trips to England when they were each 14 years old.

Peggy gardened extensively, fed the birds and other animals at their rural property in Houston, PA, and collected bird data for scientific study.  She also fostered kittens and otherwise supported the Humane Society of Western PA.

Peggy was an enthusiastic musician. She was a founding member of the Community Band South, formed in Upper St. Clair, PA, in 1987, in which she played clarinet. She also taught herself the flute and played in the Pittsburgh Flute Choir.  She gave piano lessons to the neighborhood children and to herniece, nephew, and sister-in-law.  She also treated family members to Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concerts every season and was one of the PSO’s more important donors.

Peggy had a long volunteer career with the Salvation Army, giving lessons to children in their programs on a variety of instruments. She also bought musical instruments, paid for them to be refurbished, and then donated them to the Salvation Army’s children.  She even played her flute at the Salvation Army kettles in her area every winter.  

Peggy was curious, bright, generous, and kind.  She enjoyed a mental or physical challenge. She took a thoughtful approach to everything she did. Her legacy will live on.

Interment is at Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg, PA.