Elizabeth Welch
February 12, 1932 - January 22, 2021
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Welch. Born Elizabeth Estabrook in 1932 to father Melvin F. Estabrook and mother Winifred Dobbin Estabrook, Elizabeth (Betty) was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Robert E. Welch, who passed in 2007.
Elizabeth was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression. Shortly after she was born, her parents sold their belongings and purchased a farm in New Brunswick, Canada, where they lived for five years before returning to Connecticut. An only child, Elizabeth and her parents lived in Hartford, Rocky Hill and Windsor throughout her childhood. Elizabeth graduated from Windsor’s John Fitch High School in 1949. Following her high school graduation, Elizabeth and her parents moved to Miami, Florida. After a year in Southern Florida, and of missing her friends, Elizabeth had saved her money and moved back to CT. Shortly thereafter, her parents also returned to Connecticut to be closer to her.
After returning to Connecticut, Elizabeth went to work in Hartford at an insurance company. One summer, she and a few of her co-workers went on a vacation to Old Orchard Beach in Southern Maine. On that trip to Old Orchard, she met her future husband Robert Welch. Bob and Betty were married on October 4, 1952 at St. Augustine’s Church in Hartford. For three years, they lived in Hartford and then, in 1955, bought a house in Marlborough, CT. Elizabeth raised four children as a stay at home mother, and then went to work for Citizens Bank in Marlborough in 1972. She also worked for the United States Post Office in Marlborough, and then for the Probate Court in East Hampton, CT until she retired.
Bob and Betty went to the beach in Maine each summer, and many of their descendents still visit Old Orchard Beach regularly. For their 25th Anniversary, their four children sent them on a cruise to Bermuda. For their 50th Anniversary, they travelled to Nova Scotia. For many years, they spent the winter months of February and March in Dunnellon, Florida. Betty enjoyed music and outdoor concerts, cross stitch, sewing, reading, flower gardening, and watching british mysteries on CPTV. Every day she watched Judge Judy and Jeopardy. In the 1960s she served as a 4-H leader. For many years, Bob and Betty participated in a bowling league, at first in East Hartford, and eventually at Bear Swamp Lanes in East Hampton, CT.
Elizabeth got her wish and was able to live in her home until the time of her passing. As a family, we are blessed to know that she did not suffer in her final days.
Elizabeth is survived by her four children - Robyn Johnson and her husband Kent Johnson of Colchester, CT; Erin Fournier and her husband Paul Fournier of Andover, CT; Maureen Welch of Norwich, CT; and Daniel Welch and his wife Teresa of Clarksville, TN.
In addition to her four children, she leaves behind nine grandchildren: Erin Fournier’s children: Katie Hoisington and her husband Ryan of Andover, CT, and Simone Fournier of Andover, CT; Robyn Johnson’s children: Adam Johnson and his wife Taina Amaro of Manchester, CT and Neil Johnson of New Britain, CT; Maureen Welch’s children: Brittany Behrmann of Manchester, CT, Lauren Behrmann of Philadelphia, PA and Clayton Behrmann of Wethersfield, CT; and Daniel Welch’s children: Robert Welch and his wife Nicole of Portland, CT, and Meghan Welch of Amston, CT. In addition to these nine grandchildren, Betty was blessed to know and love thirteen great-grandchildren before her passing.
In addition, we wish to recognize the immense care that was provided to Betty by Barbara Fay, Laurie Kivney, Gregoria Maldonado, and Adelia De Jesus. We also wish to thank Mark Merritt and his colleagues at the Marlborough Volunteer Fire Department.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic health restrictions, memorial services will be private at this time. A public memoriam and celebration of Elizabeth Welch’s life will be arranged when safer times for gatherings of that type return. In lieu of flowers, we encourage individuals who wish to donate to Marlborough Volunteer Fire Department’s Roy Pettengill Ambulance Association or to Marlborough’s Richmond Memorial Library.
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