Rosanne N. Watson

Rosanne Nelson Watson, 88 of Zionsville, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, after a brief battle with ovarian cancer. Rosanne was born May 7, 1937, in DeKalb, Illinois, to the late Howard A. and Arline S. Nelson. She graduated from DePauw University (1957), where she met her husband, Chuck. They were married for 63 years.

Rosanne and Chuck married in November following their college graduation and promptly moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where Chuck served in the US Navy at Pearl Harbor. He always teased Rosanne that he took her on an exotic honeymoon to Hawaii.

Rosanne (affectionately also known as Rosie, Brosie, Gigi, Muz, just to name a few) enjoyed playing tennis, reading, cooking, and traveling. She and Chuck were a part of Gourmet Club in Columbus. Their lifelong group of friends took turns hosting and experimenting with many types of international food. Cooks & Company’s cooking classes were also a huge part of Rosanne’s life, and she considered herself to be on the cutting edge in the kitchen when she brought home a wok in the mid 70’s. She and Chuck were avid movie goers and art collectors who traveled the world with close friends and loved exploring new people, traditions, foods and countries.

Rosanne was a kindergarten teacher, substitute schoolteacher, and for many years worked at a clothing store, Great Things. When her wardrobe suddenly expanded, she told Chuck that she had purchased it on sale and saved him a lot of money…he fell for it every time. Her most important roles were being a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend – and her extensive volunteer work. Over the years, Rosanne served on the house corporation for DePauw’s Pi Beta Phi sorority house, DePauw’s Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity parent board member, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader and answered phone calls at First Call for Help, a call center for at-risk women. She had many groups of dear friends – tennis leagues, book club, “Birthday Group,” PEO and Culture Club. She and Chuck were members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and former members of First United Methodist Church, Columbus, Indiana.

Her family and friends will miss her ever-present newly applied lipstick, great sense of style, ability to always look on the bright side, contagiously warm smile, book recommendations, funny sense of humor and old school sayings.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 2, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, followed by a reception from 12 – 2 p.m. at Meridian Hills Country Club, 7099 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis. Burial will take place immediately following in Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Indiana.

Rosanne was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Watson. She is survived by her children, Cindy (Jeff) Yingling and Andy (Kelsey) Watson; grandchildren, Claire (Matt) Doyle, Mark Yingling, Charlie (Aili) Watson, Drew Watson and Maddie Watson; great granddaughter, Frannie Doyle; sister, Virginia (Charles) Combs; and five nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to DePauw University give.depauw.edu or Planned Parenthood www.plannedparenthood.org.