Watson: Laurie, September 3, 2020

Laurel “Laurie” Watson, 66, of West Montrose, Ont., a promoter and publisher in the beef cattle industry, died on September 3, 2020. Together with her father, Harald Gunderson (deceased in 2012), they produced the World of Beef and the Limousin Leader in the 70s and 80s.

Laurie was a well-known beef industry personality, whether on the phone selling ads, reporting on beef sales, or attending cattlemen’s events across Canada. “She was quite a dynamo,” said Garth McClintock, publisher of Alberta Beef and Beef Illustrated. His magazines are off shoots of World of Beef.

Laurie was pre-deceased by her husband, Charlie Watson of Wat-Cha Farms Ltd., Mount Forest, Ont. Charles died in a parking lot accident at Regina’s Agribition, December 2006.

Wat-Cha Farms raised primarily purebred Charolais cattle. Laurie’s father-in-law, Charles Watson Sr., was one of the first importers of Charolais in the Ontario beef cattle business.

Laurie and her father also published industry magazines: Canadian Funeral News, Canadian Emergency Services News, and later, Canadian Homes & Cottages.

Laurie’s two children and their families survive her, as does her second husband, James Dean McInnis.