Mary Anne Clair Welch

Obituary Mary Anne C. Schmidt Welch January 8, 1914 ?" July 17, 2008 On July 17, 2008, in the company of her children and their spouses, Mary Anne Welch passed away at the age of 94. Born in Redcliff, Alberta, Canada the 4th of 8 children to Julius and Agnes Schmidt Mary Anne and her family moved to a Mandan, North Dakota farm when she was 3 ½. Times were rough on the farm and she was forced to leave school after the eighth grade to help run the farm and take care of her younger siblings. When she turned 17, she was invited to move to Tacoma and live with her Aunt and Uncle. There she discovered potential for a new life and career opportunities. In 1936, she asked her younger sister Agnes (Jo) to join her in Tacoma. She helped Jo graduate from Stadium High School and attend nursing school achieving an RN degree in 1942. In the 1930's she learned to play the guitar and played in a local band ?" mostly popular songs. She owned one of the first electric slide guitars produced by Rickenbacker. Her love of music was evident throughout her life. Mom was always generous with her time, energy and commitment to her family. She met and married Wayne D. Welch in 1940. They lived in Port Angeles for 25 years raising two children, Michael L. and Dixie R. During her children's formative year's, she was a stay at home Mom, committing herself to working as a volunteer at her children's school, leader of Cub Scout troops and the Camp Fire Blue Birds. There were always cinnamon rolls, hot cookies or donuts waiting for after school treats. She was the core strength of the family and maintained a sense of dignity and calm through some difficult years. After her children left for college, Mary Anne went back to school. In 1967 she graduated from Peninsula College with an LPN degree. She was immediately employed by Olympic Memorial Hospital where she spent the bulk of her career as a pediatric nurse for newborns. During her life, her religion remained a primary ingredient and she dedicated many hours to serving in the Legion of Mary at Queen of Angels Church and later at St. Patrick's in Tacoma. She loved to visit her family and made it a priority to attend important family events and celebrations. Her presence always created special moments and memories. In addition to her family, her passions included music, sewing, travel, poetry, creative writing and her Church. Survived by her children Michael (Jean) Welch and Dixie (Truman) Coggins, brothers Gabe Schmidt (Dionne), Albert Schmidt, Frank (Renee) Schmidt, her grandchildren, J.D. (Heather) Welch, Andrew (Allison) Welch and Erica Brown; 3 great-grandchildren, and many loving step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral mass will he celebrated on August 13, 2008 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Church, 1001 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403 with a reception to follow. Private internment, Calvary Cemetery