Shirley A. Welch

CHESHIRE – Shirley A. Welch, 103, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at her home in Cheshire, CT. She was a homemaker, beloved mother, and loving wife of the late James J. Welch for 65 years.

Shirley was born on February 6, 1922, in New Haven, CT, the daughter of the late Argle Edward Hinman Jr. and Harriett Anne Phelps Hinman.

Her life spanned over a century, and she generously shared with family and friends her memories and recollections of the world and local events she participated in and witnessed. A 1940 graduate of Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Shirley joined the ranks of millions of women who contributed to the U.S. World War II war effort as a factory and office worker for an aircraft components manufacturer.

Shirley and James (Jim) married in July of 1944. Following the arrival of the last of their four wonderful children (in 5 years), the family moved from Hamden and settled in Cheshire where the family lived in the newest housing development built by Jim and his brothers.

In later years, Shirley and Jim also had homes in Dennisport, MA and Palm City, FL before returning to Cheshire for their retirement years. They were active locally in the community and shared a love of golf at the New Haven and the Farms Country Clubs. It was at The Farms that Shirley shot her very first “hole-in-one” to the amazement of her husband.

Traveling was also a special time as they visited Ireland and warmer climates with friends. They joined one of their daughters and her husband for several RV road trips to California and Nova Scotia. But Shirley never wanted to roam too far or too long as her greatest joy was always being with her children and grandchildren. She loved cooking and, in a family of great cooks, was considered by all to be the best. She was thrilled that her children and grandchildren loved learning from her and that many of the family recipes will be preserved for generations.

Always elegant, wise and with a mischievous sense of humor, Shirley will be sadly missed by her family, but they will always be grateful for the remarkable and long life she lived. She leaves behind her daughters Cheryl A. Welch and Beverly S. Welch of Cheshire; her son James J. Welch, Jr of Farmington, CT; son-in-law Christopher Ward of Jupiter, FL; grandsons Michael J. Welch (Bridget) of Scituate, MA and Christopher W. Welch (Asie) of Whitinsville, MA; and great grandsons James and Connor Welch of Scituate. She was predeceased by her husband and parents, and by her daughter Patricia Welch Ward of Jupiter, FL in 2014 after a heroic battle against ALS.

Arrangements – A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at St Bridget of Sweden Parish/St Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire. Burial will follow in St Bridget Cemetery. Friends may call at The Alderson Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street, Monday evening, March 24, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association, 1300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600 Arlington, Virgina 22209 in memory of Patricia Welch Ward or St Bridget of Sweden School.