Mary Catherine “ Cathy” Watson, age 70, of Pensacola, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Cathy was a true Pensacola native, born in 1953 to the late John A. and Caroline Caro Watson. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, John “Jack” A. Watson.

Cathy was a loving sister and devoted aunt who was kind to all she met. She was known for her boundless love and selfless nature, always putting others before herself. Genuine and friendly in nature, she never met a stranger. She was always willing to share her extensive knowledge and decades of experiences with others. Her kindness and compassion touched the lives of everyone around her and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love and generosity that will continue to grow through the example she has shown to others, her memory will be cherished forever by all who knew her.

Cathys first love and passion in life was scuba diving, she devoted her life to it, spending as much time as she could in and around the water. She spent twenty wonderful years with Scuba Shack Dive Shop as an Assistant Instructor, she enjoyed teaching and bringing others into the diving fold. She also loved managing and teaching the Scuba Rangers, a youth diving course. Debbie of the Scuba Shack always commented on Cathy’s patience and willingness to teach others.

Cathy loved her time aboard Scuba Shacks charter boat the Wet Dream. She loved spending time taking folks out to dive the beautiful gulf waters, sharing her love of diving with all who came aboard. She earned a reputation in the community for always making sure that those who spent the day out on the Wet Dream would always be well fed. She made sure there was always food for the guests, making delicious cookies, snacks, and her famous homemade Ice cream for them to enjoy. She was lovingly known as the Chief Cook and bottle washer.

Cathy was also a very accomplished spear fisherman; she enjoyed the hunt and was an apex predator when armed with her spear gun. Her greatest love however was her underwater videography. This was the way in which she was able to help others secure the memories and joy of their dives and help them bring the beauty of the ocean home. Through videos was also able to share the diving experience with so many souls that were unable to experience diving for themselves. She provided countless people with joy, memories and a shared love for the water and the life it holds.

Cathy was intelligent and ambitious in her professional life and education. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Science from the University of South Alabama and then went on to earn a Master’s Degree of Exercise Science at the University of West Florida. She was able to bring her love of water and helping people together and work as a Physical Therapy Aide and supervised the swim therapy program at Sacred Heart Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic for twenty years. She was described by her co workers as a blessing. In addition to her normal duties, Cathy provided entertainment for the patients there with her diving videos and by treating them to her famous homemade ice cream.  

Cathy was passionate about preserving the beautiful waters here in Escambia County. She was a member and secretary of the Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee for several years. She devoted her time and put her heart and soul into helping preserve and save the gulf waters and the marine life living within these beautiful waters.  

Those left to cherish her memory include, her brother, Tom Watson and wife Rindy Watson, of Pensacola, FL; her twin sister, Carol Kelly and Brian Kelly, of Pensacola, FL; nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Watson and Rick Decker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Escambia County Marine Resources Stewardship Endowment Fund for a memorial reef for Cathy. Checks can be sent care of Escambia County Marine Resources Division, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 32502. Donors should indicate the purpose of the donation on the check (Memorial Reef fund for Cathy Watson) for their reference.