Mary D. (Lordan) Welch, age 89, of Stoneham, formerly of Winchester, passed away on April 8, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Ed Welch.
Born in Somerville, Mary was the daughter of the late Dennis and Margaret (Fennelley) Lordan. She was raised in Somerville and graduated high in her class from St. Clements, despite the Nuns’ warnings that she was “heedless.”
Mary was as quick to laugh at herself as she was to tease others. Whether it was her own driving, her husband’s New England gruffness or her children’s misadventures, all were the subject of her sharp wit—or her marble blue stare when the misadventures did not meet with her humor.
Mary’s indomitable spirit carried her through life. When learning to drive, she accelerated through her landlord’s garage door—which he immediately forgave. She never stopped driving (even after her son took one set of keys). After serving a casserole with a melted plastic spoon in it shortly after she and Ed married in 1949 (“they lived,” she said with a giggle), she became renowned for her delicious dinners, desserts and hors d’oeuvres at her dinner parties. Mary could be found playing tennis at the Packer-Ellis tennis courts or at the indoor courts in Winchester. She played until well into her 80’s and walked 4 miles a day. She lived at home, on her own, until the short illness before her passing. Mary also enjoyed participation in the Teams of Our Lady group for over 35 years at St. Mary’s Church.
Most importantly, Mary lived for her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and attending their games and events; even a freezing ice rink would not stop her. She would take her grandchildren on “adventures,” usually returning with toys and treats, when she was not baking her own, such as her famous Whoopee Pies and chocolate chip cookies. Her grandchildren could not have had a more fun and loving Nana.
Mary is survived by her children: Patricia Welch and her husband Ward Loveland of Redwood City, CA; Kathleen Welch-Torres and her husband Edward Torres, of West Hills CA; and Ted Welch and his wife Danielle of Woburn. She was the devoted grandmother of Chris, Ted, Phil, Connor, Marie, Parker, Claire and Brandyn, and the dear sister of Peggy Wilkins of Hampton, NH. Mary is also survived by beloved cousins Rick and Gini Welch, sister-in-law Jean LeDoux and her husband Duane, and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Tues., April 11 from 4-8PM, and again on Wed. at 10AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 11AM. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, 75 Federal St. - 8th floor, Boston, MA 02110. www.bbbs.org.