Helen Joyce Watkins, known affectionately to those closest to her as Connie or Flower after her love of daisies, was born on October 7, 1939. A woman of immense strength, humor, and generosity, Helen was deeply loved by her family and friends. She passed away on January 6, 2024.

Fondly remembered for her engaging personality, quirkiness and striking turquoise eyes, one of Helen's most significant accomplishments was her children and grandchildren.  Her first husband was Robert Cherry.   She  later met the late,  Stanley Dederer at Bendix Radio, and their union was blessed with three children.  She  then  married, the late, John C. Watkins Sr, son of Baltimore artist William R. Watkins from England.    She is survived by her son Mark Dederer,  her two daughters, Susan Dederer Ames and Kris Matarazzo and  her sister, Shirley Ropka.  Her legacy also lives on through her beloved grandchildren - Carmen Matarazzo, Emily Merson, Michael, Laura, and Melissa Ames.  She was predeceased by her husband, John Watkins (2022) , and her parents - Charles and Helen Snyder (nee Hebbel).

Helen's vivacious life was filled with simple pleasures, such as  her love of  driving around  in one of the many antique sports cars owned throughout the years, and of course smoking her cigarettes and drinking hot tea. She was extremely fond of all her antiques  and  sentimental items  she had accumulated over the years, each having a story to go with it.     She held an extraordinary fondness for all her dogs, throughout her life.    She couldn't get enough of  sour beef and dumplings that her daughter Susan would bring her from Silver Mining Co,  a well done steak, her Mother's cooking, Kris's Mac and Cheese, crabs, ribs and crab cakes that her son Mark would bring her from the Corner Stable in Cockeysville where she once lived, and  lobster.  She enjoyed  drinking her daily  cups of  hot tea  alongside glancing in  her favorite cookbooks.  Her musical interests leaned towards Engelbert Humperdinck, Elvis, Roy Orbison, and several little nursery rhyme songs that she would be sure to sing while having conversation with family members.

She also found joy in supporting her hometown sports teams, the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. Helen was keen on engaging in games of Pinochle, Bingo, Keno, Lottery, and Billiards and Bowling in her younger years.   She looked forward to going to the diner and driving around town with her sister.     A proficient bowler in her  30's and 40's, she was a proud member of the 500 Club and won several trophy's.  She was also an avid billiards player.

Helen lived by the motto "Do the things you love and live life."  Her life was marked by her playful nature, humorous anecdotes, many stories of her life adventures, and  her resilience, extreme strength and courage.   She touched many lives and is profoundly missed by all her family members and neighbors, especially her children. 

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