Mary M. (Saunders) Welch, 92, of Lakeville passed away Sunday December 4, 2022 at home after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late James E. Welch.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Captain Herman R. and Matilda M. (O’Reilly) Saunders, she lived in New Bedford for many years before moving to Lakeville in 1979.
Mary was formerly employed as a food service supervisor at the Hannah B. G. Shaw Home in Middleboro until her retirement.
She was a 1948 graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy in Fairhaven where she served as the class Vice President and was selected as most popular, most athletic, and cutest.
Many years ago, she had been a cub scout den mother and coached girls’ basketball for Holy Name Parish. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing whist at the Lakeville Senior Center. She was a member of the Holy Name Ladies Guild.
Mary was well-known for her sense of humor and her quick wit. She was especially devoted to her large family and will be deeply missed.
She is survived by five children, Edward J. Welch and his wife Janis, Thomas J. Welch and his wife Andrea, Marilou Allen and her husband Joseph, Catherine T. Rego and her husband Ronald, and James E. Welch, Jr. and his wife Bernadette; her sister, Joan M. Liarikos; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Katherine F. Sullivan, Herman R., Albert E., Jack, Paul F., Richard T., Daniel J., and Thomas F. Saunders.
The family would like to thank the Life Guidance program staff at the Atria in Fairhaven for their loving care shown to Mary while she was a resident.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday December 10th at 10 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Visiting hours will be on Friday December 9th from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Neediest Families Fund, SouthCoast Community Foundation, 128 Union St., Suite 403, New Bedford, MA 02740. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.