Jean Ann Sabey Watkins, 84, a resident of the town of Edinburg, died Friday, January 4, 2013. She was born on September 7, 1928, in Schenectady, N.Y., the daughter of Sarah Rolfe Fisher Sabey and Leslie Reid Sabey of Colonie. Jean graduated from Albany High School, attended New York State College for Teachers in Albany and graduated from Albany Business College. Jean lived on Central Avenue in Colonie with her parents until her marriage to Carlton D. Watkins in 1951 when they moved to Osborn Road in Albany. They bought a summer home on Skiff Road in Northville in 1954 and subsequently purchased a residence on Sinclair Road in 1964.
Jean was an avid animal lover, having horses and dogs all of her life. In the ’50s and ’60s, she belonged to the Lucky 13 Corral, which was a group of horsemen and horsewomen who held horse shows off Rapp Road in Colonie.
She worked for the General Electric Company for 38 years, spending most of that time at the Research and Development Center in Niskayuna, retiring in 1988. While at GE, she was instrumental in starting an in-house first-aid/CPR training program for employees and security people. In 1980, she was awarded GE’s G.L. Phillippe medal for outstanding community service and donated the proceeds to the Edinburg Emergency Squad.
She was an EMT, and was chairman of First Aid/CPR programs for the American Red Cross in Fulton County and also an instructor-trainer for the Red Cross. She was a certified Red Cross teacher in Schenectady, Saratoga, Fulton and Hamilton counties. She was also an instructor-trainer for the American Heart Association.
Jean held regular blood pressure clinics in Edinburg and brought in the Eye Mobil unit from Albany. She was a member of the Advisory Council of the Sacandaga Task Force for Senior Living and planned the luncheon programs for three years.
She was a member of Pine Grove United Methodist Church until coming to the Northville area when she joined the First United Methodist Church of Northville. She was a member of the choir, a Lay Leader, a delegate to the annual conference, a member of the Board of Trustees, she served as secretary to the Board of Trustees for many years, was an Administrative Board member, a member of the United Methodist Women (served as President), a Certified Lay Speaker and a Lay Speaking instructor. She also coordinated Red Cross Blood Drives at the church twice a year.
She is survived by: her sister, Faye Supley of West Charlton. She is also survived by: one niece, Tracie Mason of Kentucky; a great-niece, Carly Mason of Ballston Spa; great-nephews, Dan and Reid Mason of Kingston; and stepnephew, William Gori of Ballston Spa. She was predeceased by her husband, Carlton; and her sister, Lois Monroe.
At Jean’s request, there will be no calling hours. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Northville or the K-9 Unit of Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. Arrangements are by the Northville Funeral Service. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.
