Mary "Marley" Watton

Mary “Marley” Watton 91, died on September 22, 2015 in Milford, NH after an active arts oriented life spent in both producing and teaching art for over 50 years. Born in Braymer, Missouri, she graduated from Park College, MO in Art History with graduate work in the studio arts at the Kansas City Art Institute, then she became a fashion artist in KC and on to Manhattan for seven years before her marriage to Van Cranson Watton in 1953. They lived in New Rochelle, NY, Sudbury, MA and Hollis, NH. Professionally she exhibited and sold her watercolors at several galleries, and was a member of many juried art associations. Among them were the NE Watercolor society, and the NH Art Association. She taught watercolor in Sudbury, Nashua, Amherst and Milford. She also studied Interior design, worked for Beebe Interiors and taught at UNH Manchester. Marley was a gardener. In Hollis she was president of the Garden club twice. She volunteered at Beaverbrook Gardens and was also Co-chairman of the 1976 Hollis Bicentennial to restore the town hall of Hollis. In the 1990s Marley joined the Currier Museum of Art and quickly became a docent leading groups through the galleries for 10 years. Music was also a favorite. In her 80’s she became a member of the Board of Trustees of Monadnock Music where she instituted the annual garden tour as a fundraiser. Her last volunteer job was as a member of Amherst village questers. She was also a member of the DAR and the Amherst Congregational church. Family members include a son, Peter Watton of Milford, NH; a daughter and son in law, Leslie and Michael Clemens of Winchester, MA; two stepchildren, Susan Murphy of Rochester, NH and W Fletcher Watton of Wilton, CT; six grandchildren, Jack and Sarah Watton, Will and Colin Watton, Katie Murphy and Emily Vincent; a sister and brother-in-law, Marcia and Chuck Eberly; and several nieces and nephews. Marley will be missed by those who knew her and loved her. Leslie and Peter would like to especially thank The Elms Center in Milford, for their exceptional care and devotion to Marley in her final months of life. A memorial service will be held on October 17th at 2:00 PM in The Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church Street, Amherst, NH. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 and the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street, Manchester, NH 03104.