Patricia A. Welker, 76, beloved sister, devoted aunt, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, was called home Monday, December 15th. Born, raised and lifetime resident of West Springfield, Patricia dedicated her life to the wellness of West Side children. After long-time service as a New England Telephone and AT&T manager, Patricia retired and began work as an elementary school crossing guard to which she dedicated herself for ten years. She loved to tell her family stories about "her kids" that she crossed each day. Children were the center of her world, starting with her children, Mark, Todd and Ann Marie; followed by her grandchildren, Jamie Ann and T.J.
Patricia was a devoted wife to Carl, both of whom are lifelong residents of West Side. She was an avid gardener, woman of God, sharp of wit, kind of heart, strong willed, greatly loved and greatly missed. She is survived by her loving husband, Carl H. Welker, his daughters Donna Shea and her husband Kevin, and Deanna Lawrence, her husband Steve and grandson Britton, sons Mark A. Newhouse of Palmer and Todd E. Newhouse of West Springfield, Daughter-in-Heart Diana Newhouse, sisters Beverly Grabowski and her family of Houston, Texas and Dianne Arnold, along with her son in-law Chip Arnold, her brother Scott and sister in-law, Trisha Greene, and their children Garrett and Grace, as well as her loving grandchildren Jamie Ann Newhouse of Boston and U.S.M.C. PFC Todd E. Newhouse, 2nd.
She was predeceased by her mother Alice Greene, her stepfather Harvey Greene, her brother Larry Greene and her daughter Anne Marie Newhouse. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Saturday at Noon with burial in Paucatuck Cemetery in the spring. Visiting hours will be held Friday from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Epilepsy Foundation, 8301 Professional Place East, Suite 200, Landover, MD, 20785 or the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.