NORTH ANSON – Elizabeth A. “Betty” Welch, 81, died in her home Sunday, Feb. 12, with her family nearby.

Betty was born on Oct. 4, 1924, in Wilton, the daughter of John Leader Connelly and Mary Anna (Grignon) Connelly of Wilton.

She graduated from Wilton Academy in 1942.

She married Jacob “Jake” G. Welch Jr. on Oct. 18, 1942.

She belonged to many local associations while her children attended school. She volunteered her time for numerous class field trips, served on annual hunters’ breakfast events, and with her husband chaperoned a trip to New York City in 1961. She was a very active and valuable member of the Five County Health Council. She was a member of the North Anson Fireman’s Auxiliary and a member of the VFW. She joined the Congregational Church in town. She taught Sunday School for many years and was always available to assist with youth-group activities.

Betty farmed for more than 20 years, ran a second hand shop from their home, and owned The Corner Store on Main Street in North Anson before retiring to their home of 38 years on the Anson Valley Road in town.

She enjoyed ceramics and spent many hours painting items to be donated each fall to the Congregational Church Fair. She loved every hour spent at her camp at Spring Lake. She made many beautiful afghans for her family members and others.

Her hands were always busy. Many of her hobbies were set aside when her many grandchildren began to join the family. Her love for them was always present, as was the candy dish beside her chair filled with things she knew they would like. Whenever family members and sometimes their friends came to visit on Saturday or Sunday mornings, she was always ready to serve up the bacon and eggs.

She is survived by a sister, Sue Arab of Connecticut; three children, Nancy Welch of North Anson, Johnell Rugh and husband, Wayne, of North Anson, and Edward “Skip” Welch and wife, Rachel, of North Anson; 10 grandchildren, Carol “Bonnie” Dyar Eaton of Florida, Pamela Mitchell and husband, Mike, of North Anson, George “Skip” Rugh and wife, Tammy, of North Anson, Randy Rugh and wife, Diane, of Slippery Rock, Pa., Margie Sawyna and husband, Vi, of Allentown, Pa., Dulcie Dee Hughes and husband, Jake, of North Anson, and Dereck Welch and wife, Aaron, of North Anson, Kathy Veilleux and husband, Greg, of Winslow, Susan Benedict and husband, Jeff, of Winslow, and LeAnne Pinkham and husband, Redmond, of North Anson.

Also surviving are 18 great-grandchildren, Tracy Daubenberger attending the University of Maine at Orono, Patrick Daubenberger of North Anson, Shyla Lonewolf Dyar of Florida, Jerzee and Cole Jacob Rugh of North Anson, Mercedes Andrews of North Anson, Madolynn and Gabrielle Hughes of North Anson, Skye and Brooke Welch of North Anson, Derek Mitchell of Orono, Jessica Mitchell of Canaan, Randall Rugh of Greensburg, Pa., Daniel Rugh, attending Penn State University in Pennsylvania, Jill and Kelly Sawyna of Allentown, Pa., Tara Burns of Winslow, and Jordan Benedict of Winslow; one great-great-grandson, Kobyn Mitchell of Canaan.

Betty enriched the lives of many foster children. A few special ones were June Fitton of Coward, S.C., Marcia Collins of Skowhegan, and Fred Collins of Randolph. She also leaves special friends, Phil and Shirley Raymond of Jay, Madaline Hinkley of Embden and Pauline MacDonald of Bingham.

Betty and her predeceased husband, Jake, were married for nearly 63 years. He passed away on Sept. 26, 2005. She was also predeceased by two brothers, John L. Connelly and Homer Blasl; and one great-grandson, Jacob Kristopher Hughes.

Special thanks go to Health Reach and Hospice for their excellent care and concern.

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