On Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, Sara Nell Watsjold, “Nell,” beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away in Anchorage, Alaska. She was 86 years old.
Born to William and Willie Hullett in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 25, 1936, Nell lived most of her life in Seward, Alaska, where she moved in 1965. In 1966, Nell married Oscar Watsjold and together they enjoyed 45 years of love, devotion, and exciting Alaska adventures before his passing in 2011.
Nell is survived by her son, William Andrew “Andy” Mainard (Tammy); daughter, Sherry Borer (David); grandchildren, Drew, Nathan (Amy), Levi, Jake, Joshua and Sara Mainard, Tessa Spencer (Mickey) and Bergen Borer; and greatgrandchildren, Lennon and Nellie Spencer and Bristol and Carson Mainard.
She also enjoyed meaningful and loving relationships with her stepchildren, Stanley Watsjold (Sally), Linda Brown (Michael) and David Watsjold (Mary), as well as their numerous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, many of whom were lovingly by Nell’s side during her last days.
Nell also leaves behind numerous family members in Georgia, Alabama, and New Mexico.
A longtime resident of Seward, Nell will be very much missed by many good friends including her dear friend and companion, David Leach.
In Seward, she once owned and operated the Alaska Shop Fountain and drove a school bus. She was one of the first women, if not the first, to serve on the Seward Volunteer Fire Department. For many years she was a proud member of Seward’s Swinging Grannies softball team.
Nell will be remembered as a classy and lovely woman with a wonderful and often surprising sense of humor, who was beautiful both inside and out. She will never be forgotten and will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, and all who were lucky enough to have her in their lives.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be sent in Nell’s memory to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 676, Seward, AK 99664. A memorial for Nell will be held in Seward in the spring or summer of 2023.
