Carole Ruch Watkins
Carroll Township
Carole Ruch Watkins, 85, of Carroll Township, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 in Jefferson Regional Hospital after a lingering illness. She was born Saturday, June 16, 1934, in Altoona, a daughter of the late Claude and Edna Shomo Ruch. The family moved shortly to Pittsburgh where Carole graduated from Oakland Catholic High School and enrolled in Carlow University (then Mt. Mercy College) graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. While there, she served an internship at Falk Clinic under Dr. Jonas Salk. Mrs. Watkins earned an Master’s in education degree from California University in 1977. For 16 years Mrs. Watkins and her husband, Dr. John Pierce Watkins, served as First Lady and President at California University of Pennsylvania. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 62 years, Dr. John P. Watkins of Charleroi; son, John G. Watkins and wife Amy of Monongahela; daughter, Jennifer Watkins (John Soares) of Fredericksburg, Va.: and her beloved grandson, Jacob Watkins of Monongahela. She was preceded in death by her precious grandson, John Brooks Watkins; her sister, Rita Shields; and her brother, Claude Ruch. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 at MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, Supervisor, 323 Fourth St., California, Pa. and until 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb.19, when a Mass of Christian Burial will start at St. Andrew the Apostle, Charleroi campus with Father Kevin Dominik as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Foundation for Cal U, 250 University Ave, California, Pa., 15419. Please put John Brooks Watkins in the memo line of your check. To sign the register book or leave condolences, please visit mariscottifuneralhome.com.
