Jean V. Watt

Jean Veronica Watt, age 84 of San Pedro, peacefully left this earth on Monday, October 21, 2019. She was born to the late Elda and Paul Matranga of Peoria, Illinois. She was survived by three children whom she loved dearly.

Jeanie was born in New York as Jean Matranga, but grew up in Peoria Illinois where she made her singing debut at age four. As a teenager, by the suggestion of her band leader, she changed her name to Jeannie Martin because it sounded more American. At the age of 18, she moved to Chicago where she met and married the sailor man of her heart, James R. Watt and had three beautiful and talented children.

During her life as a navy wife, she moved 13 times in 11 years before she fell in love with San Pedro and decided to stay. She received her Associate Arts degree at Harbor College and her bachelor’s degree at Long Beach State in Art History as well as a single subject teaching certificate. While she loved the field of art, she also broadens her education in the legal profession before working in the county of Los Angeles, Juvenile division, as a paralegal. During her 35 years of service she received praise for her performance from people like district attorneys Steven Cooley and John V. Kamp.

Besides her devotion to making the world a better place, she enjoyed following the careers of her son, Mike, who is a professional bass player and her two daughters Melinda and Marilyn, who are both educators. Because of her son’s public profile, Jean was interviewed a few times. One quote that expresses the overall feelings that she had for her children was “I am so proud of my children because they are taking up the cause to try and do good in this world.”

Survivors include her three children Mike and Melinda Watt of San Pedro, Marilyn Watt of Los Angeles; her sister Debra Pinar of Bullhead Arizona; her brother David Matranga of Illinois; her niece Michele Erin and her three nephews David, Tony and Nick Matranga of Illinois.

Jeanie did not want a service. However, those who knew her, knew her greatest wish was for all of humanity to pass on kindness.