Madelyn Welch, a long-time resident of the Skyway area, passed away on Wednesday the 24th of February at her home.
Madelyn was born on October 1 4th, 1 932 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Henry and Edith Vieth, In her early adult life she taught piano and worked as a secretary. On a vacation with her friend Betty at Glacier Park, MT, she met her future husband David Welch. He always joked that even though there was no hunting allowed in the park she tagged him anyway. They were married on December 16th, 1 960 and enjoyed over 55 years together. In 1 966 they moved from Montana to Washington and settled in the Skyway neighborhood, south of Seattle, WA. While her children were younger Madelyn focused on raising them as a stay at home Mom. Once they’d grown she went back to work and was employed for 15 years at the First Interstate Bank Processing Center in Tukwila, WA. She retired in 1994. In her free time Madelyn enjoyed bowling and socializing with her friends at Skyway Park Bowl as well as playing bingo. Road trips with her husband and children were a regular occurrence visiting family and friends and traveling to Reno and other places in the west and Midwest. Her laugh was infectious and she saw the positive in everything and everyone. Those who knew her loved her “glass is more than half full” view of life. Madelyn never met a stranger; her warmth and open nature made everyone around her feel like family.
Madelyn was preceded in death by her parents and sister Diane. She is survived by her husband David Welch, son David, daughter Elaine (Ken) Patterson, granddaughter (and apple of her eye) Laura Patterson, brothers-in-law Rollin and Richard Welch and many nieces and nephews. Madelyn’s wish was for her family and friends to celebrate her life in their own way and time without a formal service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to your favorite charity.