Janet M. Watkinson, age 79, long-time resident of Newport, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at her home in Middletown, RI. She was the loving wife of Dr. William A. Watkinson II for 52 years, who pre-deceased her in 2021, as well as a devoted and caring mother and grandmother.
Jan was born on December 17, 1946, in Indianapolis, IN to the late John Hoffman and Margaret (Gasper) Hoffmann. After a happy childhood spent with her three siblings and many cousins in Indianapolis, Jan continued her studies and found her passion at St. Vincent’s School of Nursing where she earned her degree. It was during this time that she met the love of her life Bill, and they married in December 1968.
After they both finished school in Indianapolis, Bill and Jan moved to Newport in 1970 where they settled and started a family. Jan put her nursing degree to good use, working at Newport Hospital as a pediatric nurse caring for young patients. She then decided to go back to school and earned her bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams and her master’s degree from Rhode Island College. She then embarked on her second career as a school nurse teacher, first in Tiverton and then later in the Newport school system. Jan retired from the Newport schools in 2011, spending many years providing care, kind words, and gentle encouragement for both elementary and middle school students. Outside of work Jan gave back to her community as an active member of Trinity Church, serving on the altar guild, volunteering at the annual fair, and teaching Sunday School. During her free time, she enjoyed summer days at Hazards Beach with her family and in later years going to PPAC with her closest friends. Some of her favorite pastimes were caring for her many indoor and outdoor plants and reading.
Jan is survived by her three children: William A. Watkinson III and his wife Diane of Norwalk, CT, Sarah Steuerwald and her husband Scott of Middletown, CT, and John Watkinson of Middletown, RI. She also leaves behind six wonderful grandchildren, whom she cherished: Alexandra, Elizabeth, Catie, Julia, Matthew, and Jordan. Jan is also survived by her brother John Hoffman of Brookfield, CT and her sister Elizabeth Edstene and husband Barry of New Castle IN.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 4:00PM-7:00PM at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Funeral Services for Jan will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 11:00am, also at Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter, 245 Waterman St., Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906 or at https://www.alz.org/ri.
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