Shirley Welch

It is with great sorrow that we must announce the passing of Shirley Louise Welch (Lique) aged 81. Shirley passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 28th, 2025 at her daughter Katie's home in Allenstown, NH.

Born in Hanover, NH on December 8th, 1944 to the late Cecelian (Carron) and William Lique. Shirley was raised in Norwich, VT and spent her youth going to school there and working with the family farm animals. Later on she left school to work at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center which is where she would ultimately meet the love of her life, William Welch Sr. who was a patient there following a car accident. They married on April 20th, 1968 and proceeded to raise 8 children together while continuing to live in Norwich.

A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Shirley was always putting others first and was filled with the kind of unconditional love that only a true matriarch is capable of. She loved to spend time with her family, and could commonly be spotted cooking or baking something for them to enjoy. An avid gardener, Shirley’s yard was filled with beautiful blooms from the beginning of Spring until the first frosts in Fall, and she was always adding new patches of flowers or pathways each year. She loved camping with her kids and was always spending as much time outside as possible; frequently going for walks where she would identify the flowers on the side of the road for the children who were always in her life. She also loved to sing, often singing classic country ballads or silly songs to cheer up the kids, she had an incredible voice that is missed by many.

She is survived by her husband of 57 1/2 years, William Welch Sr.; their children, Michelle Welch Stone, Lisa Wheeler and husband Richard, Holly Wheeler and her husband Joey, Katherine Welch and S/O Matthew Gagne, William Welch Jr., Melanie Welch and S/O Kevin Ouelette, Deborah Welch, and Andrew Welch. As well as her grandchildren: Hannah, Cassandra, and Michael Stone; Ryan Stoddard; Christopher, Tianna, Mikenzie, and Joshua Wheeler; Amanda Mattot; Yvonne, Jacob, Danielle and Nicholas Wheeler; Benjamin Bohaker Jr., Kayla Brack, Madyson Bohaker, Mason and Ava Gagne; Camden and Cody Ouelette; Phoebe, Isabella, Zoey and Matthew Jenney and great-grandchildren: Rocco Mattot, Olivia Elmes, Aliyah Greenwood, and Jamison Brack.

A celebration of life is to be held sometime in the spring. Donations for arrangements and expenses can be made here: https://gofund.me/2a7b82142

We would like to thank the nurses of Amedisys who were there to help us make her more comfortable at the end of her life.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Manchester.