In Attleboro, MA, September 20, 2011, Mary Ryan Welch, age 91, passed away at Life Care Center following an extended period of declining health. Mary was the wife of the late William J. Welch, M.D. She was born in Taunton, MA on August 28, 1920, the daughter of Daniel and Helen (McNamara) Ryan. Mary attended St Mary’s School in Taunton and graduated from St Mary’s High School in 1938. She used her skills and training as a legal secretary to help her husband before and after WWII to establish his Taunton medical practice. Mary and her family moved from Taunton in 1951, and after living in Connecticut and western Massachusetts for a number of years, settled in Newark, NY, where she lived for forty two years until moving to North Attleborough, MA in 2002. After retirement she and her late husband wintered in Myrtle Beach, SC, a place she enjoyed greatly.
Mary was vibrant and vivacious with an unforgettable, full-of-life smile. She was an active member of the Newark Wayne Community Hospital Women’s Auxiliary; a frequent Red Cross volunteer; and a member of St Michael’s parish in Newark where she also volunteered countless hours in support of St Michael’s School. She was always interested in current events and politics and enjoyed and excelled at managing her family finances.
Mary’s greatest source of joy was her family. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and was always a source of encouragement and support. Family members will especially remember her strong intellect, spirited sense of humor and masterful culinary specialties that made holiday gatherings in her home times of memorable good cheer and excitement.
Mary is survived by her daughter Valerie M. Welch, of North Attleborough, MA and her husband Robert Ovoian; three sons, William R. Welch, M.D. of Osterville, MA, and his wife Laurel; Frederick R. Welch, LtCol, USAF (Ret.) of Myrtle Beach and his wife Bonnie; and Kevin L. Welch, M.D. of Pensacola, FL and his wife Capri.
In addition to her husband, Mary was predeceased by her brother Daniel Ryan of Taunton, MA and her sister in law, Louise Ryan. She is survived by her sister Eleanor McDermott of Taunton and her husband Edmund; three brothers, Charles Ryan and his wife Mary Elizabeth (Beth) of Stoughton, MA; John Ryan of Wethersfield, CT; and Joseph Ryan and his wife Marie, of Vernon, CT; and her sister-in-law Ruth Walsh Ryan of Brookline, MA.
Mary also leaves her granddaughters Michelle Crawford, Katherine Welch Ovoian, and Vanessa Welch; grandsons Matthew Welch and William Welch; great grand children Jacob, Ashlyn, Luke, and Matthew; (all of whom will miss Grammie very much) and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 10:30am to 12:00am at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St. Taunton, MA. A memorial celebration and service will take place in the funeral home immediately following visiting hours at 12 noon. Burial will be in the family plot at St. Joseph’s cemetery in Taunton. In lieu of flowers Mary’s family encourages donations to Vista Care Hospice, 2 Willow Street, Suite 102, Southborough, MA or your local hospice organization.