Barbara Mitchell Welch's Obituary
Welch, Barbara died at home in Dallas, TX, on Monday July 22, 2013, surrounded by family. Barbara was born on November 1, 1934 in Steubenville, OH, the daughter of Erma Slenker Mitchell and James Mann Mitchell, and younger sister of Joann Mitchell Holmes, all of whom predeceased her. After growing up in West Virginia and northern Virginia, she attended the College of William & Mary, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi, Orchesis, and Mermettes, earning her B.A. in 1956. She dearly loved the College, and returned often. Barbara taught elementary school in Norfolk, and Arlington, Virginia, until 1965. A year after meeting on a blind date arranged by her future sister-in-law, she married Paul Hesse Welch, on June 27, 1964, at Christ Church in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. While living in Virginia, Barbara and Paul had two children, Kimberly and Andrew. After moving to Texas in 1972, Barbara became an active and enthusiastic member of the community. She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, heading the Agape Ministry for 16 years. She was a member and leader in several community organizations including the Prestonwood Community Club, Northwood Women’s Club, Richardson/Plano Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, the fundraising group for CONTACT Connection, 2nd Tuesday Gourmet Club, and Chapter 15 Book Club. When her children were young, she was a Sunday School teacher, long-time Girl Scout leader, and President of the Prestonwood Elementary School PTA who was subsequently elected to a Lifetime Membership in the Texas PTA in recognition of her work. A true teacher by nature and training, Barbara got particular enjoyment from her later-life volunteer work with Prestonwood Elementary, where for the past 15 years she regularly tutored children in reading, recruited fellow tutors, organized library displays, served on the School Advisory Council, and raised funds to purchase extra teaching materials and library books. Barbara’s love of teaching and children were evidenced in her efforts to keep in contact with her tutees via written notes, even when her illness caused her to stop volunteering in person this spring. Barbara had many leisure interests and was known for her ability to throw a party for just about any occasion. She loved travelling with Paul, lunch with friends, cooking, reading mysteries, knitting, and gardening. Perhaps most of all, she loved being a “Grammy” to her 4 grandsons. Barbara is survived by her husband, daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and loving grandsons. Barbara wished to thank Dr. Dorothy Sherwood for her personal attention in the last months of her life. The entire family extends our deepest gratitude for the care given by Liz Cena, RN, and the rest of her team at the McKinney branch of the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice, which allowed Barbara to meet the challenges of her illness at home with the people she loved. Internment will be private, at Restland. Visitation for friends will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday July 24. A memorial celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday July 26 at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest Rd., with reception to follow at the Church. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Barbara Mitchell Welch Graduate Fellowship in Education Endowment at the College of William & Mary Foundation, P.O. Box 1693 Williamsburg, VA 23187, or to the Endowment Fund of the Church of the Transfiguration at the above address.
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