WESTFIELD: Barbara Ann Welch (Katie Welch), 79, died on December 26 at home. She had the loving care of Joan Corell and health-care givers including Noble Visiting Nurses and Hospice. She had a long battle with oral cancer. Barbara was born and grew up in Jamaica Plain. She leaves Joan Corell, many dear friends and cousins, the descendants of Dr. David Scannell, chief surgeon at Boston City Hospital. She was pre-deceased by her parents, John and Grace Welch and her brothers John and Thomas. Barbara graduated from Holy Cross Academy. She earned a master’s degree from Boston College and a PHD from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her careers included being on the faculty of the English Departments of Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts and Monroe County Community College in Rochester, N.Y. For many years she was with the English Department of Westfield State College. At one time she served as Chair of the Department. She was President of one of the first faculty unions and served in official positions in the current union. Barbara traveled all over the world. She loved the arts, literature and music especially in New York City and, of course, enjoyed passing on these passions to her students.
Calling hours will be at Firtion-Adams Funeral Home in Westfield on Friday, January 1 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. A funeral Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Church on Bartlett Street in Westfield MA at 11:00 am on Saturday January 2. There will be a private burial at Pine Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to Noble Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 77 Mill Street, Suite 201, Westfield, MA 01085 or to Pine Hill Cemetery Association, 140 W. Silver Street, Westfield, MA 01085 or to a charity of one’s choice.
