Barbara Welch

LEWISTON — Barbara Welch (Mason) passed away on December 4, 2012 at Montello Manor in Lewiston. She was born in Mechanic Falls on June 15, 1908 to her parents, Forrest L. Mason and Josephine Alma (Hayford) Mason, who predeceased her. She graduated from Farmington and Gorham Normal School in 1925. She taught in primary schools in Poland and Mechanic Falls.

In 1929 she went to work as a teller in the Lewiston Trust Company which later became Depositors Trust Company. From 1946 to 1948 she worked as a clerk in the Androscoggin County Probation Office and from 1948 to 1972 she worked as a teller and Assistant Manager for the Depositors Trust Company which later became Key Bank in Mechanic Falls.

Over the years, Mrs. Welch enjoyed and looked forward to visits from her family and sharing her specialty dinners. She was a caring and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and will be sadly missed. She had lived in Montello Heights in Lewiston for many years and moved to Montello Manor when she was 100 years old. She received excellent care and leaves behind many loving friends and caregivers.

Mrs. Welch is survived by her son, Forest M. French; her daughter, Sharon Jill Gallagher and her sister, Alma M. Schauer. Also, she will be sadly missed by Diane Cordell (Lothrop) who Mrs. Welch thought of as a daughter and a special friend, Nancy Higgins, who brightened her days with many caring visits.

At her request, a graveside service will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Mechanic Falls on Saturday, December 15 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers a contribution in her memory may be made to the Resident’s Activity Fund, Montello Manor, 540 College St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 26 W. Dwinal St., Mechanic Falls. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.