In Loving Memory
Jane Tina Amelia Watson
(November 14, 1928 – April 5, 2026)
Jane Tina Amelia Watson (Hirsch) of Camrose, AB, formerly of Tofield, AB, passed away Sunday April 5, 2026 at the age of 97 years.
Jane Tina Amelia Watson (Hirsch) was born on November 14, 1928, in the Likness area, just north of Galahad, Alberta. Her parents were Fred and Christina Hirsch. She was the third youngest of a family of 11. Jane was very musical from an early age and became extremely proficient on the piano, playing mostly “by ear”. Her beautiful singing voice was enjoyed by many when she regularly played and sang in church.
Jane’s faith in God was always there and in 1952, at the age of 24, she joined a Baptist Mission and ventured off into a colorful life in the Belgian Congo. Political strife in that region, at the time, forced her and other white missionaries to leave quickly with minimal possessions, fleeing down the river, jumping into a waiting vehicle and speeding to an aircraft — all the while being fired at by rebels with guns. Her life in Congo had centered around her little girls who lived in the mission compound. Jane also had a mischievous pet monkey that required the locking up of cupboards in order to save their food supply. It was a sad day when Jane had to leave her monkey behind while fleeing to safety. Jane was able to return home to Canada every few years for a yearlong furlough to see her family. She eventually took a job in South Africa where she spent the remainder of her mission years.
Convalescence for back surgery was a factor in her final return to Canada, and to her home in Camrose. It was here that she met James Watson, a grocer at the local IGA – love at first sight- and they married on May 12, 1984. Together, the two of them could not resist adventure. James was a preacher & also the former Mayor of Edson, with many contacts throughout Alberta. With their collective sense of humor there was not anything that could deter them from travelling and doing silly things. They lived in Valemount and Creston, BC …then in Camrose and finally settled in Tofield in the late nineties. James passed away in 2012, leaving Jane to carry on alone. She eventually moved back to Camrose to join up with her equally fun-loving and mischievous sister, Doreen.
Jane is predeceased by her loving husband James; sisters Doreen, Florence, Andreen, and Geraldine; brothers Andrew, Ben, Alex, Henry, Levi, and Alphonse; and stepsisters Florence, Margaret, Sadie and Evelyn. She leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces and her very special brother George Roberts. The family would like to thank Valorie & Dale Falk for their friendship, love and care that they gave to Jane over the years, and to staff of Bethany Care Home in Jane’s later years.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
If family or friends so desire, memorial donations in Jane’s name are gratefully accepted to the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM).
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
Burgar Funeral Home Camrose (4817 51 Ave, Camrose, Alberta T4V 0V4) in care of arrangements. 780-672-2121.
