Josephine Gloria Watson (Nee Meli) passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on May 27, 2025 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida at the home of her eldest daughter, and was surrounded by close family members. Josie, as she was called by everyone, was born on July 19, 1938, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her husband of 14 years, Van Erwin Watson; her father Benjamin Meli and mother Mary Grace Meli (Nee Merlo); and brother Benjamin Meli. She was also preceded in death by both sets of her grandparents, the Melis and Merlos who were from Palermo, Sicily, Italy and had immigrated through Ellis Island to the United States in the early 1900’s, and ultimately ended up in Baltimore. Josie enjoyed the many family get-togethers at her parents’ home where all of her grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces gathered to celebrate many holidays and special family events. Josie held up her Italian-American heritage in high regard.

Josie is survived by her brother Louis R. Meli Sr. of Hampstead, MD: her daughter Karen Reeves and husband Dan of Lakewood Ranch, FL; her daughter Gloria Longhurst and husband Warren of Hyrum, UT; her son Walter Zandt and wife Slawka of Brookings, OR; and her daughter Kristy Hager and husband Andrew of Lutherville, MD. Josie had eleven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Josie graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School in 1957, where she studied cosmetology. She was a cosmetologist for a number of years before becoming a customer service representative for the City of Baltimore Water Utilities Department for many years before retiring. She never missed a chance to travel to visit her children and grandchildren no matter how far away they were. She visited many states while RVing across the US and Canada with her husband, Van, as well as visiting many countries while cruising and flying overseas. She enjoyed collecting dolls, refrigerator magnets, postcards, and decks of playing cards from the places that she visited. Later in life, Josie took up karaoke and enjoyed singing with her brother Benjamin Meli and friends on many occasions at local get togethers in Largo, Florida where she lived for many years.

Josie was of the Christian faith early in life and was christened in the Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland; and later in life attended, and was baptized at, the nondenominational Church of the Open Door in Westminster, Maryland. Josie had a warm heart and a kind soul and will be missed by all of her loved ones. A Celebration of Life for her will take place on August 9th, 2025 at the Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd., Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093. Service starts at 12:00 PM (Noon). All family and friends are invited to share in the memorial service as we celebrate her wonderful life. In lieu of flowers you may make a gift to your local non-profit hospice organization; or the Foundation for Women’s Cancer at foundationforwomenscancer.org.

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