Marvalee Welch

Marvalee Beach Welch (Lee) was born March 17, 1925 in Sedalia, MO. and died December 1, 2014 in Pensacola, FL. She and her sister, Carol Eleanor Doss, the only children of Edna Crystal Rayburn Beach and Lawrence Bailey Beach, were raised on a farm in Green Ridge, MO. A lifelong, naturally gifted writer who, at the age of 8, hand printed, published and sold her own small newspaper, Lee attended Park College for two years until she fell in love with and married Gordon Edward Welch, Sr. in 1945. A true and loving Navy wife and mother of three, Lee unfailingly made a home of every new duty station during Gordon's thirty-two year career which spanned World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. After retiring in 1974, Lee and Gordon sailed the Eastern Seaboard and Caribbean Islands aboard the "Marvalee". Lee served as Chairwoman of the North Kingstown, R.I. school district, and her intuitive skills as a conciliator earned the respect of all. After her husband's death in 1993, Lee moved to Pensacola, where, sometimes quietly stoic yet irrepressibly optimistic, she made a new life and home and eventually returned to college and earned a degree with honors in journalism at the University of West Florida at 74. Lee was a gifted pianist and soprano. Elegant yet humble, she gallantly fought for 9 years after strokes deprived her of the ability to write and express herself as she had throughout her life. A beautiful, genuinely empathetic soul, Lee always sought and found the best in all she knew. Lee is survived by Marsha L. Welch of Wickford, RI, Margaret Welch Murphy (Tom), of Columbia, MD, Gordon Edward Welch (Pat) of Perdido Key, FL., grandchildren Evan Welch Salvo of Coventry, RI, Maia Francesca Strode of Black Rock, CT, and Chelsea Lee Welch of St. Augustine, FL, four great grandchildren, and canine companion, Nala Grace. Special thanks to all of Lee's caretakers, especially Easter Welch. Visitation from 6 to 8 PM Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze. Graveside services at 11:45 AM Friday December 19, 2014 at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Paralyzed Veterans of America or a charity you believe will honor Lee.

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