HIRAM & Steep Falls- Barbara "Barby" Lorraine (Chick) Welch 89 went home to be with the Lord, June 5th, after a brief illness at the Sussman house.
Born May 12, 1936, to Robert, and Agnes (Day) Chick of Steep Falls, Maine. She, and her only sibling, Phyllis always recalled a happy childhood, filled with many fond memories of summers spent with gram and gramp Day, swimming, driving the old tractor, or listening to family stories grandma Day would share.
A 1954 graduate of Standish High School, after graduation, she moved right into working as office manager for Hanold's Outfitting Co. in Standish Maine. It is there where she worked with her youth group leader and lifelong friend Youbell Jackson.
Over the years, she held many different job titles, from office manager and bookkeeper to deputy sheriff and small business owner. She had many different businesses, The Sweater shop opened 1960 in Standish, Welch's Country Florist, Barb's Mainely Crafts, and Barb's Mainely Yarns sequentially from 1982 until 1995 out of her house in Hiram. She regularly taught classes such as knitting, quilting, toll painting, jewelry making, flower arrangements, spinning classes, lampshade making, and any other subject that was requested, and she could teach.
Barbara had a love for music and took piano lessons as a young girl in Portland. She played piano every morning at her school assemblies and graduations. She also played for the churches she attended. She taught many family and friends how to play the piano as well. She also played banjo and accordion playing many different polkas at local dance halls. She loved to dance and went to many square dances.
She enjoyed gardening and canning/pickling, winning many ribbons from Cumberland and Fryeburg fairs. Her zucchini relish is still sought after by many. She also taught 4-H in Hiram.
Other than God and her family, she loved knitting and spent long hours working tirelessly on pairs of socks, mittens, sweaters, and other garments for Christmas gifts for her large family. Many feet have been kept warm by the talent and dedication she possessed. She also received many awards for her knitting, including two best in shows, for which she received silver bowls.
One of her fondest memories is the six years she spent living in Cumberland and helping raise her grandchildren, especially the new baby Darla. She would tell the story with a grin of her dropping a stitch in her knitting, and Darla looking on the floor for it.
She loved to cook and was always on the lookout for new recipes to try. She passed on as much of her knowledge as she could to whoever wanted to learn. She loved to teach, homeschooling her son Bert jr. two grandchildren, and a close friend's son for a few years. She also enjoyed hunting, camping on Moosehead, bird watching, painting, bus tours, and the cruises she took to P.E.I. anything that looked like fun she wanted to try, and she did. She never stopped living life and finding the good in every situation she was in.
Barbara is predeceased by her parents Robert and Agnes Chick. A husband and love of her life, Bertrand Welch Sr. and a daughter, Brenda Jones.
She is survived by daughters Wanda and Matt Eagan of Needville, Texas, Laura and Alan Small of Cumberland, Maine, Bethany Libby and partner Wanda of Cranston, Rhode Island, and son Bert and Holly Welch of Tenants Harbor, Maine. Stepchildren Nancy Ward of Scarborough, Maine, Sylvia and James Hawkes of Gorham Maine, and her sister of 86 years Phyllis Farrow of East Baldwin, Maine. Grandchildren Derek, Amber, Jordan, Elisha, Darla, Tim, Sheryll, Lisa, and Nicole. 11 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
All are welcome to join for a graveside committal held on Saturday, June 21 at 2 pm at the Steep Falls Cemetery, followed by a potluck celebration of life at the Hiram Community Center at 14 Historical Ridge Road Hiram, Maine. Please join us and share memories of Barbara. She would love seeing us all together.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras Funeral Homes, website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Steep Falls Country Church