Deborah-Welsh-Obituary

Deborah A. Welsh

New York , New York

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New York , New York

Obituary

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Walking to the corner store with Deborah Jacobs Welsh could take an hour, because she greeted everybody.

"She had an incredible knack to make anybody she met feel like they knew her their entire lives," said husband Patrick C. Welsh. The 49-year-old Manhattan woman called upon that skill often as a United Airlines flight attendant.

She was not originally slated to be on Flight 93 the day it crashed into a Pennsylvania field, but was assigned to the flight when she swapped shifts. Her husband didn't even know her new flight number. Those details got lost in the rush of plans they made for dinner and a movie.

So Patrick Welsh spent Sept. 11 in increasing anxiety, waiting for her to call. Instead, the airline did.

He remembers her wearing a crazy, black-spotted, white coat to walk their dalmatian. She was able to hear a song and then play it by ear on piano or guitar. He said she saved leftover airline meals to give to the homeless. He has since found comfort from those whose lives she touched. They leave phone calls of support. They stop him in the street to offer condolences. They tend to a memorial of flowers in front of the Welsh's apartment building, making sure the candles stay lit.

"She was like Jimmy Stewart in 'It's a Wonderful Life.' ... So many people loved her. There are so many people reaching out to help."

Guest Book

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Dear Ms. Deborah Welsh, My dearest of condolences to you, ever since as a kid and learning of 9/11, I always tear up knowing what happened to you. Your story and kindness has always touched me and is what has inspired me since a kid to become a flight attendant, which is a dream I achieved with an airline already and that I am moving to another airline of the same kind, soon this next year. Also your kindness and great personality, inspires me to also be a better person and to make...

I was a student of her mothers at Notre Dame High School and knew her sister Eileen. As the days, weeks and years have passed and everyone tries to return to life's routines, May you all feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. May her memory be eternal. Kathryn Petryk Petrella

Evil will never prevail. Your bravery and humility inspire to this day. You inspire me to face each day with happiness and love. I never met you, but I feel as if I know you, and I will continue to spread love and cheer as you would, in the name of God and Jesus Christ.

We never forget.

I remember Debbie fondly from our years at Eastern Airlines. We were not close friends, but we always enjoyed flying together when the opportunity presented itself. She was a very unique woman and I was not surprised to hear that she took leftover food from the airplane to feed the homeless. Always kind, always thinking of others, that was Debbie.

I prayed for Debra today ,on her bench in North Wildwood, and all my other fellow flight attendants as well as every life lost and broken on that day. May they all find peace in the love of friends, family and the arms of God. God bless us all and my deep condolences to Debra’s friends and family.

On this day in 2020 I am, as I do every year, remembering Debbie . . . she was a darling friend to me, a fellow flight attendant with Eastern Air Lines at the time, with whom I had a spiritual adventure in Hawaii and CA. I met Debbie when we were both working a flight and on the basis of one meeting decided to go together to Maui to study whales at a seminar with Dr. John Lilly, the famous dolphin communicator. It was an amazing time for us made much more so when after the seminar while...

I may not know Deborah however I am so sorry for the loss of this incredible woman. She sounds like a very caring person which we need more of in this world. I love that when traveling she likes learning about the exotic cultures as that always helps one to understand others. She seems to have had a wonderful life and I'm so sorry to those that now aren't graced with her in their lives. If only we could all be as compassionate as she was.

We send our deep sympathy to your family for your loss. Deborah touched the lives of others and will always be remembered.