Helen Louise Hardin Welch

Helen Louise Welch passed away peacefully on March 21, 2013 at the age of 101. Born in Wyoming in 1911, Louise moved to Seattle in 1929 where she attended the University of Washington. During the Great Depression, she left school to work in order to help her family. Through her work, she was a part of several key Seattle institutions, including working in the Smith Tower in the 1940s and 1950s, and in the Deans Office of the UW School of Medicine from 1963-1987. She relished the challenges and responsibilities, and loved the people she encountered throughout her career. She considered her work colleagues and friends to be extended family. She enjoyed "the satisfaction of doing work with a purpose and doing it successfully".

When she retired in 1987, this gave her time to enjoy gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout her long life, she loved to read books, and was rarely without one. She also had a passion for art, both in creating her own paintings and drawings, and appreciating art made by others. Through her encouragement and advice, several members of her family went on to develop a deep love for, and aptitude in, visual arts and music.

Louise was always ready with a smile, a joke, and a story, and always believed that demonstrating kindness and compassion to others made life worthwhile. She was preceded in passing by her husband, Don Welch, in 1984, and her son, Don Jr., in 2011. She is survived by her daughter Helen, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, all of whom miss her greatly and are thankful for the many years spent with her.

A private family gathering will be held in remembrance of Helen.