Helen Welch

Helen Maria Welch of Wallaceburg passed away peacefully at the Oaks Retirement Village on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the age of 83. Helen was the daughter of the late Charles & Lena (Badiuk) Schepanowski. Predeceased by her beloved husband Fredrick Allan Welch in 2011. Cherished mother of; Kim (Brent) Birkby of Chatham, Lorrie (Stuart) Handsor of Wallaceburg, Wendy Trahan of Kingsville and Jennifer (Nick) Salaris of Petrolia. Dear grandmother of; Michael, Leah, Scott and Nicole Birkby, Karlie and Justin Gilfoyle , Sydney (Kyle) and Torrie Handsor, Tanner Trahan, Tye (Haley) McLachlin , Nolan and Alexandra Salaris . Very proud great granny of Ethan , Luke ,Violet and Sawyer Birkby and Patrick Gilfoyle Dear sister of Lloyd Schepanowski (Kathy 2020) Sister in-law of Helen Schepanowski (Charlie 2011) Predeceased by sisters Josie (Harry) Smith & Carol (James) Dunlop Also survived by sister in-law Joyce (Allan 2013) Johnston. She will be missed by several nieces and nephews. Helen and her husband Fred farmed in Sombra Township. She enjoyed playing euchre, crib and would take in a bingo if nothing else exciting was going on. Helen enjoyed trying her luck at the casino's and loved listening to Country & Western Music and attending jamboree's where she got to personally know her favorite bands and request her favorite songs which they would play for her. Helen enjoyed any and all family outings. She was proud of her family and always talked about her four daughters. If there was a birthday or anniversary coming up a celebration was needed and at that celebration pictures were a must. You might have seen her at the CBD singing her favorite songs during karaoke nights and sometimes chauffeured there by her grandchildren where they would video tape her singing against her wishes. Her and Fred vacationed to Florida yearly before Fred's passing in 2011. There they would enjoy their Florida friends that they made over the 29 years of visiting, golfing, playing shuffle board and dancing. Wherever Helen was or whatever she was attending the room would be full of laughter and memories where made. She will be missed by many. She lived at the Oaks Retirement Village for the last (almost) 3 years and enjoyed her time there and the staff. She tried to call everyone by name, sorry for the ones she mixed up lol. Thanks to Dr Saxena for his care and concern and all the staff at the Chatham-Kent Health Team. She always commented that Covid took all the fun out of a day and was praying that it would be behind us sooner than later. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private family gathering will be held at the HAYCOCK-CAVANAGH FUNERAL HOME, 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg with burial in Blackburn Cemetery in Dresden at a later date. If desired, remembrances to the Chatham Kent Hospice, or charity of your choice, may be left at the funeral home 519.627.3231. Online tributes may be left at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca