Mary Eileen Welch
August 14, 2006
Mary Eileen Welch, 69, passed away August 11, 2006, due to injuries sustained in an auto accident on U.S. 95 south of Naples, Idaho.
A Vigil Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2006 in the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 16, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Internment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery
Originally published on the website - Kootenai Valley Press - August 14, 2006
www.kvpress.com/obituaries/2006/0811welch.htm
The following is a letter to the editor also published on the website - Kootenai Valley Press on August 12, 2006 - shortly after the passing of Mary Welch.
'Locals' vs. 'Newcomers:' More alike than different
August 12, 2006
After reading a letter and the cartoon in last week's Herald regarding "locals and newcomers," I was tempted to write a letter to the editor. Then something happened on Friday that changed how I was going to try to get my point across.
A wonderful, caring lady, Mary Welch, was killed in an auto accident on Friday afternoon. Those who knew her know what I'm going to say. Those who didn't, you missed knowing a great lady.
Mary grew up in Bonners Ferry and even as a young girl was organizing activities and helping others. Most of us knew her for years as the "lady at J.C. Penney's" who knew everybody, called them by name and remembered sizes, colors and styles that people wore. Made it a great place to buy gifts for others!
Mary never married, but everyone was family to her. No one was a stranger. She took care of her parents in their later years and her sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Jim, and their family were very special to her. She was always there to support her nieces and nephews in their sports and other activities. Even though most of the kids moved away, she kept in close touch with them
Several years ago medical problems led to her retirement from Penney's. For years she had been in pain, having had various surgeries.
But that pain didn't stop her from helping others. She always had projects in the works. Besides keeping up her home, she spent almost every waking moment helping others. Through her church, she led others to help those less fortunate. Every Christmas she got lists of deserving families who would otherwise not have had a Christmas. She made lists of items, sizes of clothing, etc. She never forgot toys and Christmas candy for the kids. Although we all purchased items, and helped wrap them, Mary did all the planning and we know she bought more than her share. She also bought extra so that everyone in each family would receive the same number of gifts.
Mary was an organizer and wanted to get everyone involved. She was the mastermind in starting the annual St. Ann's Bazaar and Craft Sale held every November and the Mexican Dinner held in the summer. Mary always made sure everyone felt welcome and made sure they were included in any projects. I know she helped many other people that she never spoke about. She was embarrassed when being singled out for thanks for all she did.
In all her work and pain, she never once thought of herself. Others less fortunate were always her first concern. This lady was the epitome of a Christian. Her faith sustained her through her medical problems and led her to help others.
My point here is that whether we're "locals" (Who can define that?) or "newcomers" (I've met many wonderful new people through my work at DMV), maybe we should not spend our time thinking or worrying about others' opinions. Everyone is entitled to those anyway.
How about getting out, finding a worthwhile cause to work on (That's a personal decision), and maybe we'll all find out that we're more alike than different. Even though we might disagree on a point or two, there MUST be other things we can agree on.
Maybe we can all learn a lesson from the life of a lady who put aside her own pain and concerns and concentrated on helping others. That's what "community" should be.
Linda Alt
Naples