KATHLEEN MANLEY WELSH

WELSH
KATHLEEN MANLEY
Surrounded by her children, whom she called her "gems", died peacefully on Thursday, December 10, 2015. She was a woman of incredible spirit, grace and goodness, everyone who knew her understood this about her. She is now reunited, after 22 years, with her beloved late husband, Thomas Welsh. Born in Philadelphia on June 9, 1928, she was the devoted daughter of the late John J. and Blanche Kent Manley; and sister of the late John J. Manley, Jr. Kathleen met Tom at the New Jersey shore, where she spent summers with her family. After graduation from Manhattanville College, they married in Philadelphia on November 29, 1950, a few days after Pittsburgh's "Big Snow." With no trace of snow in Philadelphia and delays in the groom's arrival from Pittsburgh, Kathleen wondered whether he was backing out. He was not, and they had 43 wonderful years together with six children and all the joy that comes with it. Kathleen adopted Pittsburgh as her home and was actively involved in a large Welsh - Friday family, her community and St. Scholastica Parish. She had many friends, and continued her 50-year tradition of her Bridge club even until this year. She was a member of the Duquesne University School of Music Advisory Board, a volunteer at Bethlehem Haven Women's Shelter, volunteer at Magee- Womens Hospital, Eucharistic Minister at St. Margaret's Hospital and 25-year supporter of Girls Hope. She taught her children well to be involved and always give back. Kathleen is survived by many loving family members. She will be missed deeply by her six children, Katie Welsh McSorley and her husband, David P. McSorley, Ann Welsh Slavish and her husband, Timothy M. Slavish, Thomas H. Welsh, Jr. and his wife, Joanne Steele Welsh, Patsy Welsh Ford and her husband, Stephen P. Ford, Rosie Welsh, all in Pittsburgh, and John Manley Welsh and his wife, Cynthia Ferranto of Washington, DC. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses, Timothy Slavish, Jr. and his wife, Stephanie Coccia Slavish, Kathleen Slavish, Julie Slavish, Peter Slavish, Thomas H. Welsh III, Caroline Ford Regan and her husband, Sean Regan, Erin Ford Gallagher and her husband, Patrick Gallagher, Molly Ford and Michael Welsh Ferranto. We cannot forget Lily, her loving and devoted Beagle of ten years. Kathleen instilled in her family the importance of being a strong unit, and there was nothing that delighted her more than being with them, for a simple evening at home, for holiday traditions, and for special travels they had together. Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street (freyvogelfuneralhome.com), on Monday, December 14, 2015, 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. at St. Scholastica Church in Aspinwall. Remembrances may be made to St. Scholastica Church, the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University or Girls Hope of Pittsburgh.