Nancy Catherine Welch

Nancy Catherine Welch passed away peacefully at her home in Whiting, New Jersey, on March 5, 2026, one month shy of her 90th birthday. Born on April 9, 1936, in Baltimore, Maryland, she was the beloved daughter of the late Sylvester H. Blackwood and Bertha M. (née Leahey) Blackwood. She married the love of her life, the late D. Michael Welch, and together they built a warm family life in South Plainfield, New Jersey.

Nancy worked for many years at ACME Markets, a place that became a family tradition as her husband and children also worked there over the years. To her, it was never simply a job but a way of supporting the family she cherished. Her greatest joy, however, was always having her children and grandchildren near. She loved to travel and embraced adventure, finding happiness in tending her flowers, sitting in the sun, reading, visiting the Jersey Shore, and enjoying the beauty of nature. Even in her later years, she remained sharp and curious, staying connected with loved ones through social media and the world around her. After retiring, she sold the family home in South Plainfield and moved to Hunterdon County for ten happy years before settling in Whiting, creating the same warmth and comfort in every home she made.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, D. Michael Welch; her parents, Sylvester and Bertha Blackwood; her sister, Barbara Perrette; and her brother, Brud Blackwood. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Welch and his wife Michele, Judy Bass and her husband Karl, Ned Welch and his partner James Condos, Michele Josephsen and her husband John, Jonathan Welch, and Carolyn Hedrick and her husband Jeff. Known lovingly as Mamaw and Nana, she was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren—Heather Huntley, Jenny Welch, Corey Bass, Jenna Bass, Michael Josephsen, Connor Josephsen, Katie Welch, Jonny Welch, Christopher Hedrick, and Haley Hedrick—and thirteen great-grandchildren who brought her endless pride and joy.

Nancy’s life was defined not by grand gestures but by the steady love she showed through her presence, her gentle encouragement, and the home she created for those she held dear. Her family will forever remember the comfort of her voice, the warmth of her smile, and the love that surrounded her.