Watson, Joan Lee of Minneapolis, Minnesota, formerly of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on Monday, April 13, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 89. Services will be held at a later date. She was born on March 26, 1931 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, the youngest of three daughters born to F.W. and Esther Lee. She was preceded in death by Richard A. Watson, a professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, her husband of nearly 50 years, and her son John, who passed away in April 2019. She is survived by her son Tom Watson (Kathy Deveny) and daughter Sue Stillman (John Stillman), and her grandchildren Jing Jing Kneale, Jack and Khoa Stillman. Joan worked at and attended the University of Missouri, the Cleveland Clinic and the Bell Telephone Co. But her passion in life was serviceto her family, Columbia's developmental disabilities community, Calvary Episcopal Church, and her beloved Alternatives to Violence, where she was known as "Jazzy Joan" to the many incarcerated individuals she counseled. She had the great gift of empathy, and she showered it on everyone she met. Memorials are suggested to Boone County Family Resources, 1209 E. Walnut St., Columbia MO 65201. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cremation Society of Minnesota.