WATSON, Yvonne Cooper Yvonne Cooper Watson, 58, wife of LeRoy A. Watson, went home to her Almighty Father on Saturday, (February 3, 2007). Born in Middletown, on July 11, 1948. she was the daughter of the late John C. Cooper Sr. and Dorothy (Martin) Cooper of Meriden. She attended Meriden public schools and was a 1966 graduate of Platt High School. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation from Hampton Institute (University) in Hampton, VA in 1971. She also received a Master of Science Degree in Health Education from Southern Connecticut State University in 1977. She completed her formal education with a 6th Year Degree in Supervision and Curriculum Development at Central Connecticut State University in 1986. Yvonne was a Physical Education and Health Education teacher at Platt High School for 34 years. She also served as Department Chairperson for 20 years. She was also involved in many school related extra-curricular activities. She was supervisor of the Platt High School dance group, member of the school evaluation committee for accreditation, member of the city-wide curriculum committee for physical education and health, assistant coach of girl's volleyball team, supervisor of the Black Cultural Awareness Club and a representative of the Meriden Federation of Teachers Union for Platt High School. A long time parishioner at St. Joseph Church, Yvonne was also very much involved in her community, serving as vice president of the Inner City Athletic Association, volunteer, lecturer and trainer for the Witness Project, an original member of Sisters' Journey Cancer Awareness Group, member of Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., supervisor of student volunteers for the Annual Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast, the Police Athletic League and a member of the Meriden/Wallingford Branch of the NAACP. She was also honored as the runner-up Woman of the Year by the State of Connecticut African-American Affairs Commission, the Citizen of the Year by Chi Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the American Cancer Society Community Outreach Award, and many others too numerous to mention. Besides her husband, LeRoy, of 38 years, she is survived by a daughter Lavone of Owings Mills, MD; a son, Jayme and his wife, Marie of Meriden; a loving grandson, whom she adored, Mekhi of Meriden; and a niece, whom she loved very much, Jacqui Hugee of Cherry Hill, NJ. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Cooper; three brothers, John Jr., Maurice, and David and his wife, Marcia, all of Meriden; two sisters, Janice Melvin and her husband, James of New Jersey and Gail Cooper Briggs of New Haven; and a special friend, Thelma Shanklin of Meriden. Yvonne also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many other relatives and friends who truly loved her and her great spirit. The funeral will be held on Thursday, February 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 159 West Main St., Meriden. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at St. Joseph Church on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Sisters' Journey, P.O. Box 6267, Hamden, CT 06517. The family would like to extend their love and appreciation to the great staff of the Medical Oncology Unit at MidState Medical Center, in particular, Dr. Kathleen Bober-Sorcinelli and her wonderful staff, as well as the staff at Connecticut Hospice with special thanks to Emily Massimino, RN. See obituary at: www.jferryfh.com