Marjorie Grace Welch

MARJORIE GRACE WELCH A Celebration of Life gathering will be held for lifelong Dolores resident Marjorie Grace Welch from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 22 at the Dolores Public Library. Memorial contributions may be made in Marjorie's name to the Dolores State Bank. The fund will be used to assist the Dolores Elementary School where her great-grandsons, Ryan and Tyler attend. They are the fifth generation in this family to attend the Dolores School system. Marjorie Grace Welch was born on December 4, 1921, to John and Emma (Koehn) Becher, a pioneer family in the Dolores River Valley. She passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 88. Marjorie graduated from Dolores High School in 1939 and went on to attend the Chillicothe Business College in Missouri for two years. On March 6, 1944, Marjorie married James J. (Jim) Welch in Kansas City, Missouri. Jim enlisted in the Navy, and, after enduring the trials and tribulations of World War II, and the loss of their infant daughter, Nancy, they returned to Dolores, Colorado with their young son, James. Their family grew as Mike was born in 1951, followed by their third son, Val, in 1956. Marjorie was a wonderful mother and loving wife. She enjoyed square dancing with Jim and was a fierce bridge player throughout the years. Marjorie's greatest love in life was her family and she sparkled when she could gather her extended family together. Marjorie had a deep love of roses and her flower gardens brought great joy from early spring through late fall. She retired from the Dolores High School in 1986 after 23 wonderful years as secretary. To the time of her passing she would say, "I still miss those kids." Surviving Marjorie are her sons, Jim Welch and wife, Mary Lou of Dolores, Mike Welch and wife, Karen of Cortez, and Val Welch and wife, Betty of Cortez; and her grandchildren, Heather Nowlin and husband, Don of Dolores, Kyle Doudy and wife, Sheri of Surprise, AZ., Trevor Welch of Cortez, Patrick Garretson and wife, Mindy of Oro Valley, AZ., Paulette Carter and husband, Billy of Metairie, LA., and Pamela Garretson of Baton Rouge, LA. Marjorie also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Ryan Nowlin, Tyler Nowlin, Samantha Marie Doudy, Cy and Aryn Garretson, and Gabrielle and Alexandra Carter; by her siblings, Beulah Vanderpool, Elvin "Bud" Becher and his wife, Ramona, sisters-in-law Ruth Becher, Grace Welch, Pearl Welch, Jessie Mae Welch, and brother-in-law, William Welch and numerous nieces and nephews. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Welch; their infant daughter, Nancy; and by her siblings, Bob Becher, Rupert Becher, Ruth Omo, Lucille Howard, James Becher, Tom Becher, Dick Becher, Marie Carlson and Juanita Fredriksen. Respecting Marjorie's wishes, she was inurned in the Summit Ridge Cemetery with her sons and their families in attendance. Brother Anthony Maes officiated with prayer and song.