Melissa Lynn (Lisa) Watson was born in Pasadena, California on September 26, 1956 and passed away unexpectedly in Colorado Springs, Colorado on February 24, 2024.

She was the youngest child of Robert and Marilyn Watson and had three older siblings, Marlenna, William, and Randall. They spent their years at home in Ventura and Hidden Hills, CA. Lisa fell in love with horses and dogs at a very young age and was an accomplished rider by the time she was 10. She was also an exceptional athlete playing volleyball and softball, graduating in one of the first classes at Agoura High School in 1974. Following high school she attended Pepperdine University where during summer break while working at the family hotel on Catalina Island, she met her first love Don Robert Older marrying in 1977. Don and Lisa had three daughters, Felicia Lynn, Kara Lyn, and Charisse Dawn.

Lisa and Don spent their early marriage on her dad’s horse farm in Ojai then moved to the Hollywood Hills in 1984 to work in Real Estate with her mother. As a top producing agent for many years, Lisa settled in Burbank where she could raise her daughters and horses and ride regularly throughout Griffith Park. She became involved with Guide Dogs of America as a puppy raiser where she again excelled for more than 20 years with very well trained and loved dogs.

In 1987 she met her second love, author Joseph Irving Hyams, Jr. whom she had 21 exciting years with traveling and meeting celebrities all over the world including president George H.W. Bush at the White House whom Joe was writing a book about. Joe was heavily involved in the martial arts community, and Lisa obtained her purple belt in Hapkido. Joe and Lisa relocated to Penrose, CO where Joe passed a few years later in 2008.

Lisa then met Mannie Colon who would become the final love of her life, and she moved to Cañon City where she fit right in to the life on the farm. There she worked side by side with Mannie helping him in the business and becoming very involved in the community. Lisa served as Executive Director of the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance, Volunteer Coordinator with the Humane Society of Fremont County, Co-chair of the Fremont County Republicans and hosted a weekly radio show “On the Right Side.” As a private citizen, she organized hanging flower pots along Main Street and kept them watered in the summer. It was well known that if you wanted something done, you just asked Lisa. She would either help you herself or tell you who the best person was for the job. She was always promoting the businesses and citizens of Cañon City and helping others striving to be a good friend to all. Lisa always had your back.

Lisa was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many but most of all everyone’s biggest cheerleader.

Lisa is survived by her loving partner Mannie, her daughter, Kara and husband Daniel, daughter Charisse and husband Nick, grandchildren Alyssa, Madilyn, Nicolas, Leonel, Emmeline and Luka, sister Marlenna and husband Ivan Davidson, brother Randy and wife Glenda, sister-in-law Carolyn Watson, numerous nieces and nephews, her best friend of more than 60 years, Tracy Off, her horse Fancy and dog Pete. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, husband Joe, daughter Felicia and brother Bill.

Lisa added so much to so many lives and loved fully. She had a smile for everyone but best yet always left you with one.

We will always love and miss you, Lisa. 

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