Shirley Watson Welch

TOGUS -- Dear Family and Friends,

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of our mother; Shirley Olive Watson Welch, at 83.

Mom peacefully passed away on Feb. 10, 2006, at the hospice care unit of Togus Veterans Hospital in Augusta.

Mom lived life to the fullest, especially the last 18 months after she was diagnosed with angio-sarcoma.

Mom was born in Sanford, Nov. 6, 1922. She was the daughter of John "Jack" Watson and Olive Johnson.

She was the eldest of six siblings, Sidney, Robert, Jean, Carolyn, and Lois.

She attended Sanford schools and after graduation, joined the Navy in 1943 as a member of the WAVES.

While stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York City, she met the love of her life during a trip to Coney Island. It was on the boardwalk that John Thomas Welch Jr. of Rockland recognized the Maine accent and introduced himself.

They were married Aug. 13, 1946, and lived briefly in Rockland, Los Angeles, California and Winslow.

They settled in Clinton in 1951 to raise their family. Their first child, Robert Bruce, was born in May 1948. Cynthia Gail was born in April 1953, followed by Stephen Michael in September 1958.

Mom had an incredible zest for living and welcomed everyone she met with a warm smile and an open heart. She treated everyone with the dignity and respect that she felt all human beings deserve.

She worked at many jobs including one of her favorites as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School, where she helped many students find their confidence and special abilities.

Mom was also an executive chef, a talented dancer and most of all a passionate artist. Her love of painting took her on many journeys. She became a certified art instructor and plied the canvas with many great artists including William Alexander and Lowell Spears.

She extended this love to paint by giving art lessons to hundreds of students and encouraged them to express themselves with a brush.

She always said "everyone has talent."

She gave lessons from the heart at the cotton mill where she lived, as well as at many area nursing homes and the local veterans care unit.

Her works are proudly displayed there and continue to bring joy to those who gaze upon them.

Her husband, John; two brothers, Robert and Sidney; a sister, Lois; and her parents, Olive and Jack, predeceased her.

She will be greatly missed but her spirit will live on forever in her surviving children, R. Bruce Welch and partner, Carlton Louie, of San Francisco; Cynthia Bolduc and husband, Daniel Bolduc, and Bijou, Nugget and Sprite of Mercer; Stephen Welch and wife, Jennifer Welch (Fales), and their daughters, Cassandra J. Welch and Olivia R. Welch; and also Aggie Cat of Farmingdale; two sisters, Jean and Carolyn; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Sherry Kempton and Debbie Gagne of the women's veterans clinic, Lisa Kelsen and staff at the Hospice care unit NHCU72 at Togus Veterans Hospital, to the Staff of the oncology center at Augusta General and to all those others along the journey who offered kind words of support and encouragement.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that anyone inclined to make a memorial gift in Mom's name do so in care of USVA Togus, VAVS-72 NHCU, Voluntary Services, Dept. of Veterans' Affairs, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330.

At the request of the family there will be no visiting hours.

Burial with military honors will occur at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, in the Chapel at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.

Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Augusta.

The following is an original poem lovingly written by Clarence H. Hardy

AN ARTIST'S EASEL IS STILLED

An artist in all her ways;

in dancing, painting or pleasing

people each and every day.

But now life on earth is closing.

No more will we hear her say

I'm okay, just don't ask for details

as upward she winds her way

where her joy will never fail.

She would not want us to sorrow

as she merrily travels her way

Only hope for a brighter tomorrow

just smile each and every day.

May the lord be really near you

today and every day.

Remember, when you feel blue

God is only a prayer away.