Patricia Jost Watson (Pat)

An Angel was born in Plainfield, NJ on February 5, 1929. That angel was Patricia Jost Watson. Most people called her Patty or Pat. She passed away peacefully on Christmas Day in Jacksonville, FL with five of her children at her side. Pat grew up in Merrick, NY on Long Island, the oldest of five girls and the daughter of Elmer and Dorothy Jost.

Pat met the love of her life, John (Jack) Arthur Watson while attending Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. Jack was a student at nearby Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Pat and Jack were married on June 6, 1948 in Merrick. After graduation from RPI, they moved to Wantagh, NY after starting their large family. Jack and his uncle operated a Lawn & Garden Store in Amityville, while Pat was busy with a family that had grown to four children. She also found time to play the organ, direct the choir and sing soprano. Her family, her church and her music remained the focus point and love of her life.

In 1956, the Watsons moved to Clermont, FL where Jack and his father-in-law, Elmer Jost, started Jost & Watson Realty (Builders, Developers & Insurers). Jack managed the Chain O’Lakes Motor Lodge on property they purchased on Lake Minnehaha. After developing the property and building dozens of homes, Jack pursued his engineering career by accepting a position at Martin-Marietta in nearby Orlando. Meanwhile, Pat was busy helping to establish South Lake Presbyterian Church where she was an elder, organist and choir director for many years. James, Tom and Paul were born in Clermont. The family (now 7 children) moved to Jacksonville in 1969 where Jack worked and eventually retired as an engineer at the Naval Air Station. Pat continued her double duty as a mother/housewife and church organist at St. Johns Presbyterian, St. Peter’s Episcopal and, of course, the historic St. Mary’s Episcopal church in Green Cove Springs where she was a member of the Vestry.

Pat had a vast capacity for love and friendship. She always seemed to see only the good in everyone and regretted not being able to see or meet many of her great and great-great grandchildren in recent years. Pat is survived by her children John Jr. (Ginny), Mary Cranford (Doug), Nancy Burris (Jim), Chuck (Pam) and Tom (Suzanne); two sisters, Ellen Albritton (Wayne) and Margaret Khan (Lynard); also 18 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is pre-deceased by her husband Jack and sons James and Paul.

There will be a celebration of Pat’s wonderful and loving life on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be sent to the St. Mary’s Memorial Fund: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 400 St. Johns Ave., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.