Frances Irene Welch

Fran was born on December 25, 1917 to Joseph and Mary Mulak of Somers, Conn. She attended the Bay Path Institute of Secretarial Science and in 1938 started her career in civilian employment as a clerk for the County Agriculture Conservations Office. Later she accepted a job with the Navy Quartermaster in Hartford and in 1943 Fran went half way across the world to work at Hickam Field in Honolulu where she met her future husband, Bob, a Navy pilot.

In 1946, Bob and Fran married and settled in Bob’s home state of Arkansas. In 1953, their only son, Robert was born. Fran’s primary role from then on was as Robert’s mother but continued to work off and on; as a secretary at Robert’s elementary school and later for local banks.

In later years she took great interest in all her extended family. She was friendly, and her interest in others made her a good listener. She also had definite opinions about things and expected others to listen to her. She was a vocal advocate for herself and for others.

Fran is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert Welch and Colleen Colarelli of Lakewood, CO; her brother, Steven Mulak of Simsbury Conn.; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her sister, Leona Buxton; and brothers, Stanley Mulak and Julian Mulak.

A memorial tree planting will be held in Lakewood Colorado on April 25, 2016. A private graveside service will be held in Little Rock, Ark. on June 4, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Friends of Colorado Talking Books.

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