Rita Welch

Rita Welch April 24, 1929 - November 3, 2013 CANTERBURY - Rita Welch, 84, 192 Cemetery Road, Canterbury passed gracefully at home surrounded by her family on Nov. 3rd. Born April 24th 1929 in New Haven, married sixty years to predeceased husband John Welch. Her happiest years were spent raising her three children Heidi Welch of Putnam, Karen Kessler of Canterbury and Kenneth Welch of Plainfield. She was involved with the CT Women's Democratic Party, the Fresh Air Fund, Girl Scouts and teaching at the local church. In her 30's she received her RN Degree along with a Bachelor's in Social Work. Employed at Yale, VA West Haven, St. of CT and others as a nurse, nurse educator and counselor. She leaves eight grand children and two great grandchildren. Special thanks to her son-in-law Warren Kessler, her neighbor and friend Sally Koji for their dedication along with Hospice Southeast's Lorraine and staff. She will be buried alongside her husband at St. Bernard's Cemetery in New Haven, in lieu of cards and flowers please send donations to Covenant Soup Kitchen, 220 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT 06226, who she believed was a superior community effort. PEACE