Delores Irene Sanderson Watson (Affectionately Known As… Sis)
June 3, 1953 - May 13, 2022

Delores was born on June 3, 1953 in Hoopa and left on May 13th 2022 three weeks shy of her 69th birthday. She went to sleep in her chair just the way she wanted, with her husband Darrel by her side.

Delores spent her youth in Hoopa, McKinleyville and Fontana, Calif. She graduated high school in 1971 in Fontana and married Darrel in 1973. In 1980, she moved back home to the Hoopa/Willow Creek area with Darrel and their two older sons. In 1983, they had another son and raising the boys kept her busy.

When she had free time she would sew and do embroidery. She was an excellent seamstress and could do beautiful embroidered pillow cases, hand towels and tablecloths. She made baby blankets, pajamas for her boys and was always the person you asked if you needed something hemmed by hand.

Delores loved her family, family bbq’s, spending time with her grandchildren/great grandchildren, Black Hills Gold, purses, talking on the phone and watching her favorite soaps (not necessarily in that order).

She raised three boys, so there was a fair amount of shenanigans that she endured from them and their friends. There was also shenanigans from her brothers and some of her cousins. She took it mostly in stride but when she got fed up she would certainly tell you about it.

Delores considered her sons’ friends part of her family and many of them called her Mom. She was considered an older sister by some of her cousins and was always willing to help when she could.

RIP, if only Heaven had a phone!

Delores is survived by her husband of 49 years, Darrel Watson Sr., Sons: Christopher (Devin), DJ (Alex). Grandchildren: Christopher Jr., Alyssa, Victoria, Taylor, Steven, Sandra, Shawn and Travis. Five great-grandchildren Siblings: Sonny Sanderson, Janet Rankin, Tracy Williams, Anna Marie Kessler and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her good friend Maria

She is predeceased by Shawn Watson (son) Nelda and Garland Morgan (parents) Leonard Sanderson (father) Nancy Sanderson (grandmother) Roy Morgan (brother) and numerous aunts and uncles.

Per her wishes there will be no services. Arrangements are being handled through Paul’s Chapel in Arcata.

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