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Nell's obituary

Obituary for Nell Orinda Watkins
Born April 10, 1921 - Passed over January 13, 2021
Nell was born in Stockton, CA to George Fred Grischott and Jessie Lee Neal. Though she was the sixth born child, she outlived her seven siblings, Lawrence, Vernie, Jessie, Frances, Fred, Jane and Barbara. In 1942 she was married to her late husband, William (Bill) Watkins. Nell and Bill were married for 67 years, and had four loving daughters, Sherry Hubartt, Gwen Williams, Christine Carson (deceased) and Angela White. Nell has five grandchildren who adored her, Kevin Webb (deceased), Dorian Williams, Justin Carson, Brandon and Ryan White and one great grandchild, Jaya Carson. She has three son-in-laws, Bill Hubartt, Jerry Carson and Carl White and one Great Daughter-in-law Abigail White.

Nell graduated in 1938 from Stockton High School with honors. As a young girl she worked as a professional model for a major department store. Nell was voted “Miss California Valentine’s girl” in 1941. In 1944, Nell was given the honor of christening a Liberty Ship, the USS Henry Meiggs. The ship’s hull was designed by her husband who worked as a foreman in the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, CA.

Bill went on to become a successful Building Contractor. Nell helped Bill run the contracting business, and together they built three beautiful homes for their family. Their first home, built in Palo Alto, was featured in the town’s newspaper. Nell was fortunate to have been able to have her gorgeous San Carlos home be the place of her final departure.

Nell was a very astute and talented woman who loved to read, travel, garden, dance, entertain and parent her four daughters. She was quite athletic and competitive in many sports. Nell enjoyed cooking creative dishes, which were enjoyed by many. (Desserts were her specialty!) In her later years she became very passionate about traveling the world in which she and her husband enjoyed numerous cruises and visited six continents. She was exceptionally creative when it came to home interior design, which was apparent in her present home decor in San Carlos, CA.
She will forever be remembered as a strong, determined, disciplined woman who set many examples for her four daughters to follow. “There is no limit to what you can achieve if you put your mind to it!”, her eminent quote.

“After a long and well lived life, we now rejoice and celebrate what an incredible woman you were!”

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Memories & condolences

Dorian,
Sending my love and prayers to you, your Mom Gwen, and the rest of your family🙏🏽.
Tammy
Dorian,
Sending my love and prayers to you, your Mom Gwen, and the rest of your family🙏🏽.
Tammy
Dorian,
Sending my love and prayers to you, your Mom Gwen, and t…

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Nell Watkins