Clelie M. Welch

CASCO – Clelie was born on March 17, 1947 and passed away on June 26, 2023. Clelie was born and raised in Baton Rouge, La. She was born to Allen F. Crawford and Clelie N. Crawford and was 4th out of 10 children.

She graduated from St. Anthony High School. She was an active member of the Girl Scouts of America beginning her lifelong skill set to help others, where she was a Co-master and camp counselor and was honored with the Girl Scout Gold Award, their highest achievement.

She joined the United States Air Force and while serving her country met the love of her life, Bradford Welch. The two were married for over 44 years and made their home in Casco.

Clelie worked for Fairpoint Communications as an engineer until she retired. She and Bradford shared their love of hunting and fly fishing. Clelie was a sharpshooter for Partridge at Nesowadnehunk Campground, one of their favorite places to go. In recent years, Clelie’s Kitchen was formed where she shared her talents in baking wonderful desserts & making relishes, jams & jellies for folks near and far!

Clelie attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. She also served her community and volunteered for the Casco Rec Department as well as the committee to help start and run events at the farmer’s market. Her involvement continued as she ran the new concession stand for the baseball and softball games. When in Louisiana visiting her niece, Christi Faulkner, she helped her cajun family serve up jambalaya to hungry college students! She was an avid college sports fan always supporting her hometown LSU Tigers from afar. Her adventures also took her to travel the country to see family and friends.

Clelie was a beloved wife, sister, aunt, honorary mother and grandmother and faithful friend. She will be remembered for her forthright spirit and determination, her patriotism, her kind smile and gentle love for her family and friends where she used her time and talents to help out – even the birds and deer who were her daily companions.

Clelie is survived by her siblings Cecil Crawford (wife Pat), Sondra White (husband Gary) and Brian Crawford (wife Rhonda); numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Bradford Welch; her parents Allen F. Crawford and Clelie N. Crawford; her siblings Ronald Crawford, Roland Crawford, Glynn Crawford, Keith Crawford, Neal Crawford and Beth Cottle.

The family would like to offer special appreciation for Stephan, Holly, Hayden and Margo Tremblay, Jay and Terry Asher and Brent and Corinna Bartlett for their unwavering love, care and support.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service 26 West Dwinal Street, Mechanic Falls with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery in West Poland. Family and friends may attend a time of visitation on Friday, June 30, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pall Bearers will be Cecil Crawford, Brian Crawford, Cody Crawford, Zachary Faulkner, Stephan Tremblay, Hayden Tremblay, Brent Bartlett and Mike Poland.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

In lieu of cards or flowers, a donation can be made to the charity of your choice