Mrs. Josephine Welch

Josephine Agnes Scelzi was born March 14, 1924 to Ernesto and Margherita Scelzi in Fresno California. She was the eighth of 9 children. Josephine grew up at 51 Whitesbridge Avenue in Fresno CA. She attended Saint Alfonso Elementary school and graduated from Fresno Tech High School, June 11, 1942. One of her favorite places to visit was Cayucos California. While in her teens, she climbed Morro Rock with her brother Alex. In later years she enjoyed a much more relaxed time celebrating the 4th of July with friends and family in Cayucos where they enjoyed the local parade. Josephine worked at Hammerfield during World War II. Hammerfield was an airfield located in Fresno between 1944 and 1945. She worked as a clerk in the PX at the base. After the war ended she began work at Famous department store and later moved to Patti’s Velvet Ice-cream shop. It was while working at Vendolator that she met her future husband Bill Welch. They married May 22, 1955 at Our Lady of Victory (where we celebrate her life today). They purchased their home on E. Robinson in March of 1956 and later that year welcomed their first child, Debra Gale on June 29th. Two years later Josephine gave birth to her second child Dwayne on November 4th 1958. Her grandchildren, Dustin, Colton and Brianne were a source of joy to Josephine. She enjoyed watching them grow up to become responsible adults. She was blessed to be able to see her great grandchildren born. Jordan, Jullian, Lucas and Sofia brought a light to her like no one else could. Her joy was in celebrating holidays with family and watching the great grand play in her home. She could watch them for hours and every minute was a new memory created. She was heavy on tradition and loved the holidays. Every Christmas Eve she prepared a feast of seafood including shrimp, calamari and crab cuppino, just to name a few of the entrees. The kitchen buzzed with kids running around and anticipation of the feast. Another tradition was the preparation of the Lenten cake. Prior to start of Lent, a cake made of salami, hamburger and jack cheese was made to celebrate. The cake was prepared before Ash Wednesday but could not be eaten until the day after. The cake improved with the inclusion of her grandson Dustin, who was able to roll out the dough thin enough. The whole family participated in the preparation. For anyone who knew Josephine, you knew that she loved to share stories of life. Her ability to recall treasured events was something she enjoyed more than anything. One she shared often was a train trip she took to Quantico, Virginia. She traveled with her sister in law, Laura Scelzi and her niece Karen Scelzi. They visited Mrs. Florio who resided in Fresno but was visiting relatives in Brooklyn, NY. Her next stop would be Coney Island where she claims to have had the best hot dog of her life. They ended their trip with a visit to Liberty Island and the statue of Liberty. Josephine enjoyed many hobbies, some of which included cooking, crocheting, needlepoint, crossword puzzles playing cards and of course gambling…and not just for the gambling but for the endless seafood buffet where she could be seen often with three large plates of crab legs. Heading to table mountain was sure to put an infectious smile of her face but nothing like the endless grin she would have when she approached us after sneaking off to play her special machines and winning a large jackpot. The jackpot smile could be noticed from a mile away.

Another of Josephine’s loves was her commitment and dedication as a member of the Italian Catholic Federation. Where she served as member and volunteered her services for over 71 years. Their flags will be flown in her honor today.

Josephine’s preceded in death by her husband Bill Welch and survived by her children Debra Gehrett and Dwayne Welch, grandchildren Dustin Gehrett, Brianne Hernandez, and Colton Gehrett and great grandchildren Jordan, Julian, Lucas and Sophia Hernandez.Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, July 25, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Friday, July 26, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.