Mark Watson led a life of unabashed love and trust. He was happy to be part of whatever was going on and was always willing and eager to contribute his efforts.
The youngest of seven children of Roy and Betty Watson, Mark was born into a loud and loving Catholic family. In the hospital, doctors told Betty she might want to leave Mark there and go home alone. They suggested he would not experience much of a life, not live long and probably never learn to walk or talk. Betty demanded they hand over her son and she never let go, not for close to 52 years.
Mark had Down syndrome. With the help of the Winnifred Stewart Association, he learned to read and found employment in the community. For many years, he was a fixture at Westmount shopping mall, working at McDonald's. Mark was also a valuable staff member at Edmonton's Food Bank and the Edmonton Oilers' office, and he considered himself the official towel folder at the local YMCA where he volunteered. His most cherished position was usher at St. Andrew church. He never missed a Sunday.
Mark was a Special Olympics athlete; bowling and skiing were his sports of choice. On the family's annual reunion and ski trip, Mark could always be found slowly making his way down the bunny hill with his skis in the snow plow position. Also a golfer, Mark had a great way of keeping score - he never had to count "gimmies" and sometimes only had to count his putts. It was amazing how many pars and holes in one he got.
Family was central to Mark's life. And parties were central to the family's life. Be it Sunday dinner, someone's birthday or a Saturday night in the summer at the cabin, the family would gather. Mark could be relied on for two things. He would always provide a toast, sometimes to his father, sometimes to the person being fêted, but almost always to Joe Clark - Mark shared his father's passion for politics. The other thing was a dance. Mark had a gift and could shake it up on the dance floor.
In the last years of his life, dementia set in and Mark wasn't his usual self, nor did he know many of his family members. Once again the Winnifred Stewart Association stepped up, this time providing loving care in a facility for the last year of Mark's life.
As Mark drifted away from us, we started talking about him more. The common theme among us nieces, nephews, cousins and siblings was that Mark was put here on Earth to be our teacher. He was part of our lives so we might learn to love more, to trust more, to live in the moment more. We are so grateful for his lessons (and his hugs and smooches).
Krista Vogt is Mark's niece.