PORTLAND – Patricia H. Welch, 88, died peacefully on March 12, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born Patricia Hope Ellis to Grace Powell Ellis and Dale Martin Ellis on May 15, 1933.

When Pat was young, her mother remarried to her beloved stepfather Mickey O’Donnell. Patricia spent her youngest years in Bolster’s Mills and Cape Elizabeth, then as a teen in South Portland, graduating from South Portland High School.

Patricia was a nurse’s aide at Mercy Hospital until she married the love of her life Edward Welch in 1953. Edward and Patricia lived 38 years together in the house in which Edward was raised, in the Libbytown neighborhood of Portland, until he passed in 1992. Pat’s mother, Gracie, also lived with the family for many cherished years. The Mass. Ave neighborhood was filled with neighbors that were like family and many would gather for “wine time” after church on Sundays. Patricia would cook big Sunday dinners every week where you would not only find her large family but often friends as well. The Welchs’ door was always open to friends and family alike, and many evenings were spent with someone sitting at the table sharing a story and a drink. The family also spent many memorable summers at her camp on Pettingill Pond in North Windham.

Pat went to work for the Portland School Department as a teacher’s aide and library assistant for over 20 years, mainly at King Middle School. After her retirement, she spent many years taking care of her precious grandchildren. Pat had a generous, fun-loving nature and a natural gift for entertaining. Pat would often host the King MS get togethers and annual Christmas parties at her home, as well as any other time that a get-together was necessary.

Pat was a Red Sox fanatic and also loved to watch Jeopardy, many times asking people to watch with her to show off how smart she was -she knew all the answers! Pat loved to travel. A few of her favorite trips were to Jamaica, Ireland and Hawaii. She loved to decorate her home and refinish furniture – you could find her painting just about anything, often in her favorite color, blue. She enjoyed cooking and knitting and had the greenest thumb around. She was also a lover of movies, books and poetry. Pat’s absolute favorite pass time, however, was spending time with her family and friends. Pat was very active in the St Patrick’s Church Community for many years, along with her husband Ed, running the church dances, the 400 club and helping out at the annual church Bazaar. After 55 years of living on Mass Ave, Pat moved to Gorham with her daughter Erin’s family in 2008 and was most often found sitting on her front porch swing enjoying life!

Patricia was predeceased by her parents, her husband Edward Welch and her daughter Colleen Brissette; siblings Beatrice Poland, Dorothy Estabrook, Ashley Ellis, Maurice Ellis and Marty O’Donnell, as well as her special step sister Evelyn Arsenault, and many other step siblings, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Patricia is survived by her children, Edward Welch and his wife Lisa of Ellsworth: Susan Fairweather and her husband John of Portland; Kelly Kenyon and her husband Stephen of Harpswell; Philip Welch and his wife, Kate of Falmouth; Erin Thibodeau and her husband Troy of Gorham; and son-in-law, Ralph Brissette of Gardiner; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours celebrating Patricia’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15am on Thursday, March 17, 2022 followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Patricia’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Patricia’s memory to: Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2





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