Elizabeth Lincoln (Dorr) Welch

Elizabeth Lincoln Dorr Welch, age 92, died Saturday, January 7, 2006 in Shelby, Ohio where she had been living with her daughter. She died after a long illness. She was born September 6, 1913 in Riverview, Bristol, Maine, to Thomas H. and Maude Churchill Dorr. A graduate of Farmington Normal School and the University of Hartford, she taught school in various places in Maine and Connecticut.

With her husband, the Rev. Maxwell M. Welch, whom she married in 1943, Elizabeth served as a missionary in Angola, Africa from 1947-1957 with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (later known as the United Church Board for World Ministries). She was actively involved in the churches her husband served in New England. After retirement, Elizabeth enthusiastically worked as a hospice volunteer, babysat in her home, knit blankets for church missions, and remained active in church activities. She was a member of the Steuben Congregational United Church of Christ in Steuben, Ohio and an associate member at Edgecomb Congregational Church, Bristol Congregational Church, and First Congregational Church of Wiscasset. She loved serving tea, working crosswords, playing Scrabble, and reading. She made the Welch home a warm and welcome haven for friends and strangers and touched many, many hearts around the world with her deep faith, love and generosity.

Elizabeth is survived by her children and their spouses: Kenneth and Cathy Welch of New Haven, Connecticut, Thomas Welch of Jefferson, Maine and Jane Welch of Rockland, Maine, George and Bobbie Merritt of Hawthorne, New Jersey, Susan and Fred Smith of Rock Hill, South Carolina and Rev. Patricia Welch and Garland John Gates of Shelby, Ohio.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her stepsister, Connie Wright and her sister-in-law, Olive Umbro; nieces and nephews, and by numerous persons who call her Mom. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the Steuben Congregational United Church of Christ, Steuben, Ohio at 10:30 AM with the Rev. Steven Bond, officiating.
A memorial service will be held for Maine family and friends at some time in the late spring or early summer.

Gifts in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to the Edgecomb Congregational Church, the Bristol Congregational Church or the First Congreational Church of Wiscasset. The Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875 assisted the family.