Barbara Jean Welch's Obituary
Barbara Jean Welch passed away peacefully with her family beside her on the morning of February 23, 2024, at Village Senior Living Center in Fircrest/Tacoma after a courageous battle with Alzheimer/Dementia. She was 83 years old.
Barbara was born on July 10, 1939, in Joplin, Missouri to the loving parents of Treva Engstrom and Herbert Packard. As a young child her parents moved to Tacoma, Washington. She was an only child. However, she had a special bond with her first cousin Carol Houts. Who she treated more as a sister than a cousin.
While attending Stadium High School Barbara was actively involved in the Civil Air Patrol achieving the rank of captain.
After High School, Barbara was married and divorced in her early twenties. She was a single parent of four raising her children in the northern end of Tacoma. She was without a doubt a brave single mother, who loved her children dearly. She always provided a safe, loving home and was involved in many of her children’s sports and activities. Family was very important to her. Especially, family celebrations that were centered around birthdays and holidays.
During that time, Barbara went on to work for Winthrop Hotel as a front desk clerk in downtown Tacoma. She attended Bates Vocational School earning a legal secretary certification.
Soon after that, she worked for Tam Engineering Corp. in Tacoma, where she met her future husband Roy Welch Sr. They married in 1973. They were married for 36 years.
In 1975, they moved from Tacoma to Fairbanks, Alaska. Where her husband Roy went to work on Alaskan Pipeline for over thirty years. Together they bought a home off Badger Road in North Pole. They resided in North Pole until Roy’s passing.
Barbara was employed at Fairbanks Tanana Valley State Fair for several years. She thoroughly enjoyed it and became actively engaged with events at the Fair grounds and assisted in advertisement of the State Fair.
In 1977, at the age of 38, she was pleasantly surprised to find out she was pregnant with Roy Welch Jr. Together, Barbara and Roy shared a blend family of seven children. They enjoyed many fun-filled family trips together.
While living in North Pole Barbara bought the Art Haven - Art Supplies Store in Fairbanks. She held art classes with master artists from Alaska and matted/framed pictures for a living. Her life passion was painting. She painted using oils, acrylic and Tole painted on wooden shapes. Throughout the years, she traveled to art events across the country. She loved to travel and paint.
During her time as an artist, she won many awards for her paintings. Notably, she was asked by the White House to paint an ornament representing Alaska for the annual White House Christmas tree event. She was invited to visit the White House during the holiday for a tour and meet the First Lady Laura Bush.
After fifteen years, she closed the Art Heaven. Barbara went to work for the North Star Borough School District as a para-professional teacher. She absolutely loved working with special needs students at the elementary level.
Barbara’s faith has always been important to her. She attended Church of Christ in South Tacoma, in Fairbanks and in Moose Creek, Alaska. She also became an active member of Fairbanks Eastern Star Chapter. After Roy passed away, she moved back to her home in the North End of Tacoma, Washington.
Barbara enjoyed the Northwest, her favorite park was Point Defiance Park and Owens Beach. She loved the ocean and her Ohop lake place with family. She enjoyed having her grandchildren and great-grandchildren around her. Barbara was a very friendly and loving person to all. She was fun and always ready for an adventure on a moment’s notice.
Barbara is survived by her children: Cindy Hamlin-Evans (Scott), Catherine Shively (Terry), Darrell Hamlin (Sonja) Roy Welch Jr. and Dianna Fritz (Fred). Barbara has ten grandchildren: Lily, Mandy, Erin, Gennevieve, Duncan, Elizabeth, Tasha, Alex, Joel and Crystal. Barbara was a great-grandma/GG to: Natalyn, Mario, Nevaeh, Raedyn, Jaxon, Marley. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Treva Engstrom, Herbert Packard, her husband Roy Welch Sr., son Dennis Michael Hamlin, son in-law Fred Fritz, daughter Debbra Nelson & son in-law Russ Nelson, granddaughter Lily Ulmer, Carol Houts and family. Her burial will be held on Tuesday, March 12th at 10:30-11:30.
Barbara Welch’s family members would like to say a sincere thank you for attending her Celebration of Life.
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