Patricia G. Welsh

Patricia Garvey Welsh passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, at the age of 94 in Oil City, PA. She was born on December 18, 1929, in Oil City, the daughter of Cornelius & Marion Barret Garvey. Her brothers Richard and Thomas followed in 1932 and 1943. Patricia completed her education in Oil City, attending St. Joseph's Elementary and graduating from St. Joseph's High School in 1947. Shortly after, she worked at United Natural Gas Co.as well as a legal assistant until 1951.
Patricia married John Jacob Welsh, who preceded her in death in 2006, at St. Joseph's Church in Oil City on May 5, 1951. Her wedding party included her lifelong friend and Maid of Honor, Joan Finnecy Chevalier. Patricia and John soon started their family, and she continued her life as a devoted spouse to John, and as a loving parent, until her last days.
Patricia was a devout member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church where she was active member of the Parish Council and Rosary Society. She also served as an officer in both of these organizations. Her faith was an integral part of her life, guiding her throughout. In 2014 at the Sesquicentennial Mass celebrating St. Joseph's 150th year as a Parish, she was awarded the Diocesan Service Medal due to her enduring contributions to the parish. She also volunteered for Venango Christian High School cafeteria, Meals on Wheels, as well as the Oil City Library where she was a well-known patron.
In addition to her religious contributions, Patricia was a prolific reader and could often be found with a good book in her hands or nearby. She also enjoyed gardening, and baking in particular, with her cinnamon rolls and pies being the family favorites every time she hosted family or visited someone. She had a passion for history and she and her husband took every opportunity to learn more in their travels throughout the United States. Her Irish heritage served as an enormous source of pride, and she fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Ireland with her daughter Christine in 2001.
She is survived by her brother Thomas Garvey (Diane) of Attleboro, MA, and her children: Christine Bradley (Joseph) of Waynesboro, PA, and their children Colleen and Maureen; Kathleen Smith (Arthur) of Mountaintop, PA, and their children Matthew, Rebecca, and Gregory; John Welsh (Vicki) of Milwaukee, WI, and their son Jason; Martha Welsh-Pugh (Robert) of Pittsburgh, PA, and their daughter Emily; and Julia Welsh Lundy (John) of State College, PA, and their children William, Katherine, and Grace as well as seven (7) great grandchildren. Patricia and her family also include her neighbors Fred and Lori Bly as family. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, John Jacob; her infant daughter, Mary; her brother, Richard Garvey; and her parents, Cornelius and Marian Garvey.
Patricia will be remembered as a woman of great faith and a loving mother and grandmother, and a lifelong neighbor. Her legacy of kindness, dedication, and service will continue to live on through her family and the many lives she touched.
Contributions can be made in memorial to St. Joseph's Church, 35 Pearl Ave. Oil City, PA. Oil City, PA. 16301, the Visiting Nursing Nurses Association Foundation/Collins House, 491 Allegheny Blvd. Franklin, PA. 16323 or the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave Oil City, PA. 16301 or at oilregionlibraries.org/support-us/
Visitation will be held at the Reinsel Funeral Home 116 Bissell Ave. Oil City, PA. on Friday Oct. 25 from 3P.M.-7pM
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11A.M. Saturday Oct 26 in St. Joseph Church.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com
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