Jean Beverly Stay (Nee Watson)

Jean Beverly Stay (nee Watson), died peacefully at her home of 41 years in Strongsville, OH surrounded by her daughters and much love on April 9, 2021. Alzheimer’s had taken her away, but lung cancer took her physical presence. Born in Yuba City, California she was the 4th daughter of seven children to the late Lloyd and Tracy Watson (Morrison). The family moved to Fresno while she was in high school where she would meet her future husband and have two children.

She worked for a time at The Sunshine Biscuit Co., then Stanford University, before the family decided to move out east, first to Buffalo, NY finally settling near Cleveland, OH. Having excellent recommendations from the companies in California and Curtiss Wright in Buffalo, she started work at Gould Brush Instruments starting as a ocumentation secretary, being promoted to the national service secretary and finally the National Service Administrator, overseeing technology and personnel for 13 service branches based around the U.S. After 28 years, she retired in 1990.

Having made Strongsville her home since 1976, she served as treasurer of her homeowner’s association and then president of her cluster association. She also joined the local garden club and became very active in the Strongsville Senior Center. She loved her piano and playing bridge winning many tournaments. An avid sewer, she made most of her own clothing along with her children’s when they were growing up and taught her daughters so they could carry on the tradition.

Most important to Jean was her family. They would gather yearly in her home for the various holidays, going all out for Christmas. She also loved spending many summer afternoons at the pool with her grandchildren always bringing snacks and drinks for them and their friends.

Jean left behind her daughters Kathleen (Bill) Mehnert of Strongsville, OH, Leslie (Ed) Salzgeber of Berea, OH; her grandchildren Michael, Paul, Jeff, Julie, Dan and Holly; seven greatgrandchildren along with siblings Carole Areias, Lloyd Watson, Linda Lewis and David Watson, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Waiting for her were her parents, along with her older sister Helen Machado, twin sister Betty Overstreet, granddaughter Kelly,  dear friend Clarence Stay and her beloved dog, Mickey.

Please give to her much loved Church Street Ministries Second Mile Outreach, a non-profit outreach ministry, 1480 W Bagley Rd. Berea, OH 44017 440-239-0549. https://www.secondmileoutreach.org/.