Nancy Marshall Welch, 87, DeLand, Florida, passed away on December 20, 2019, surrounded by her children. She was born September 19, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois to Howard Andrew Welch, Sr. and Silvia Ann Grigsby Welch. She is survived by her eight children: Nancy Eileen Ogburn, White Springs, FL, Peggy Jean Symons, DeLand, FL, Katherine Lynn Newman (Howard) Gables By The Sea, Florida, Ralph Wallace Symons (Karen P.) Mobile, AL, Elizabeth Anne Dykeman, NP (John, EDS) Sautee Nacoochee, GA, Michael Alexander Symons, Dr. Karen Lee Symons, Deltona, FL and John Andrew Symons (Frances) South Mills, NC; 23 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren. She is also survived by three siblings: Dr. Michael Francis Welch (Erin), Coronado Island, CA, Dr. Marian Welch O’Neill (Dr. Bernard), Overland Park, KS and Dr. Sylvia Annette Welch (Deborah), Piermont, NY; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Howard A. Welch, Sr. and Sylvia Ann Grigsby Welch; her godfather, His Excellency Bishop John George Bennett; her brothers Dr. Howard A. Welch, Jr., and Dr. John Bennet Welch; and her grandson Ryan Dominic Symons.
Nancy grew up in Wilmette, Illinois and attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and New Trier High School. She was a member of New Trier’s orchestra and band, playing the glockenspiel for the band and bassoon for the orchestra. An avid knitter, she made afghan squares for servicemen’s blankets in high school. She graduated in 1950. Nancy also enjoyed years as a Mariner Scout on Lake Michigan. Earning a music scholarship, she attended University of Arizona where she played bassoon for the university, and also for the Tucson Symphony (1950/1951). Nancy married, had 8 children and became a single parent to the children as a young woman of 29 years old. Her love of music was a source of comfort to her during those years and she played classical pieces on the piano once all her children were in bed. Nancy played the organ as well for Marine funerals at the USMC chapel in Cherry Point, NC, and for mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Miami, FL and St. Andrews Catholic Church in Orlando, FL. Nancy was employed as a commercial rater in the insurance industry for over 40 years. She had a love for Kerry Blue Terriers and was accompanied through her life by many beloved Kerry Blues. She was an officer in the Kerry Blue Club of Dallas, TX in the 1990’s and was a dedicated volunteer for a public television station in Dallas, writing copy for items to be auctioned, before her retirement to Florida. She brought immense joy into the lives of her children and will be dearly missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 pm Friday, January 3, 2020, at St. Frances Xavier Church, 524 9th Street, (Corner of 9th and Linden) Wilmette, IL, 60091. Interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL, 60202. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Alzheimer's Association North and Central Florida Chapter, https://www.alz.org/cnfl/donate.
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