Hope Valley, R.I. - Jean S. (Whitney) Watson, 68, of Woodville Road, Hope Valley, R.I., died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, surrounded by her loving family.She was the wife of the late William C. Watson. Born in New London, Sept. 24, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Virginia (Gangell) Whitney. She married William on Sept. 5, 1964, in Bishop Seabury Church in Groton. Sadly he passed away on Nov. 16, 1997. Jean graduated from Fitch High School in Groton with honors in 1961. Mrs. Watson worked at the South Shore Mental Health Center in Charlestown, R.I., for over 34 years, before her retirement. She was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening around her home on the Wood River. She was a member of the Hopkinton Historical Society. Jean loved animals of all kinds and she leaves behind, her beloved companions, her poodle "Ginger" and her cat "Maggie".She will be sadly missed by her two daughters, Debra J. Watson-Smith and her husband, Allen, of Richmond, R.I., and Joanne L. Johnson and her husband, Robert, of Ashaway, R.I. She also leaves her loving twin sister, Sally W. Mallory of Waterford; her brother, James A. Whitney and his wife, Neale, of Tolland; and her sister, Susan V. Jones of Santa Ana, Calif. She was affectionately known as "Giggy' to her three adoring grandchildren, Nicholas R. Johnson, Christopher A. Smith and Jillian L. Smith.A celebration of her life will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, at the S.R. Avery Funeral Home, corner of Bank and Main St., Hope Valley, R.I. Burial will be private in Oak Grove Cemetery, Ashaway, R.I.Donations in Jean's Memory may be made to the William and Jean Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund, 122 Woodville Road, Hope Valley, RI 02832.