Anne Welch DeBardeleben

Anne, known as “Wellie” to her friends and family, was truly one of a kind. Wellie had a quiet strength and perseverance, which was evident throughout her remarkable life. She was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and went to boarding

school at Chatham Hall School, in Chatham, Virginia. While attending Chatham Hall, she met the love of her life, Prince “Boots” DeBardeleben, Jr, as he was a junior at The Lawrenceville School. She attended Smith College and studied journalism, additionally learning to fluently speak four languages.

Their marriage began during World War II, as Boots was a Naval officer. During the war, she was an American Red Cross volunteer special services and nurses aid from 1943-1945. Her new husband named his ship after his bride, “Wellie”. They were married for over 50 years until Boots’ passed away in 1996.

She moved to Birmingham, AL after the war to join her husband’s family and start her own. She raised three boys there while staying active in the community and traveling abroad, a true love for her and Boots.

Intellectual curiosity never left her. Wellie was always absorbing knowledge, teaching herself new skills, writing herself notes and learning new activities. She absolutely loved the arts and started painting at an early age. Wellie utilized her lingual skills frequently, while traveling abroad. Wellie also loved classical music and Frank Sinatra, which was usually heard throughout her house later in life. She studied and played the piano, taking lessons and practicing through her adult life.

Wellie was also a master bridge player and would travel for tournaments later in life. She was an avid golfer and tournament croquet player during her time in Florida. She thrived in her garden and had a stunning rose garden in Birmingham and loved orchids, raising flowers and hydrangeas.

Wellie always stayed current with the news and world events. She had strong opinions on most everything in her life.

She was an active member of the Everglades Club while in Florida and Mountain Brook Club while in Birmingham. She spent time there playing bridge, golf, dining and enjoying her friends and family. Additionally, Wellie was a member of the Junior League, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Wisconsin Society of Mayflower Descendants, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Red Cross. She was also a proud supporter of UAB Cancer

Center and our whole family owes a great deal of gratitude for Dr Randall Davis, her doctor and confidant.

Wellie is predeceased by her husband, Prince DeBardeleben, Jr. She leaves behind her three boys, Prince DeBardeleben III (Judy), Whitney DeBardeleben (Adair) and Charles Welch DeBardeleben (Marcie). She has eight grandchildren, Ginny DeBardeleben, Whitney DeBardeleben, Jr (Margaret), Anne DeBardeleben Huff (Brian), Elizabeth DeBardeleben Eichold (Tres), Charles DeBardeleben (Mary Ellen), Taylor DeBardeleben, Prince DeBardeleben (Caroline) and Walker DeBardeleben Simmons (Drew). She also has 11 great grandchildren, Hagen Livingston, Ford Eichold, Ellis DeBardeleben, Henry DeBardeleben, Dial DeBardeleben, Ava Aumiller, Wyatt Aumiller, Louisa DeBardeleben, Florence DeBardeleben, Sarah DeBardeleben and Rollins DeBardeleben.

In lieu of flowers please give to Red Mountain Garden Club, YWCA, The Birmingham Museum of Art or the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.