Kathleen “Katie” Virginia (Pitzer) Welch, 92, passed on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, after a brief battle with COVID-19. She was born April 27, 1928, in Owings, to George Britton and Josie Mabel (McIntire) Pitzer.
She grew up on the family farm near Moatsville, in the Cove District of Barbour County. Katie graduated from Kasson High School and the West Virginia Business College in Clarksburg, where she met Charles William (Dutch) Welch. They wed on Nov. 27, 1947, and were married for 62 years until his death in 2009. They raised their four children in their home in Morgantown.
Katie took great pride in her home and filled it with the aromas of her wonderful cooking for many, many family gatherings. She loved gardening and the annual family reunion at Cacapon State Park. She enjoyed her grandchildren and granddogs, bowling, golf, basketball and square dancing. She was an active member of Suncrest United Methodist Church (formerly Drummond Chapel UMC) since 1954 where she served as membership secretary for over 25 years and in many capacities in the United Methodist Women Service Organization.
She is survived by her children: Donald and Elaine Welch, of Seffner, Fla., Charleen Welch, of Verona, Pa., William and Lorraine Welch, of Hamden, Conn., and Susan and Tom Healy, of North Easton, Mass.; grandchildren: Matthew Welch, Justin (Carissa) Welch, Aimee (Justus) Neumann, Joseph Welch (Amy Buzzell), Josie Healy and Davis Healy; great-grandchildren: Justin and Angelia Welch, Roman and Leo Welch, Cameron Buzzell, Aurora and Charlotte Neumann (and Gabriella on the way). She is survived by one brother, Kenneth (Una) Pitzer, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her other siblings: Geraldine (George) Brown, Harold (Irene) Pitzer, Douglas (Rowena) Pitzer, Thomas (Betty) Pitzer, Dolores (Harry) James, Betty (Dwight) Marsh, Dennis (Julie) Pitzer, Alice (Jim) Moats and Robert (Sandra) Pitzer.
For the past few years, Katie lived at Assisted Living at Evergreen in Morgantown, where she was lovingly and compassionately guided through the daily trials of living with diminishing cognition.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Katie’s memory to Scotts Run Settlement House, 41 Lady Bug Lane, Osage, WV 26543.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Private interment will take place at the West Virginia National Cemetery, with Pastor Michael Estep officiating.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
