Carmen Doris Begin Welch Obituary (1948 - 2017)

Winslow-Carmen Begin Welch, 69, of Winslow, Maine passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at home with her family in Winslow on May 6, 2017. She was born in Lewiston, the daughter of Leopold and Yvette Begin. Carmen graduated from Lewiston High School, and then went on to earn an Associate degree from Bliss College as the first in her family to obtain a college education. She started her working career in Lewiston at Central Maine Power and worked a number of years at SAPPI's Somerset Mill in the purchasing department. She then spent many years at International Paper, Augusta (Woodlands Division) in the HR department. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Husson College, she was promoted to Human Resources Manager. Carmen was an asset in her role at IP, as her ability to communicate in fluent French was helpful with some of the border regions where she worked. When IP closed the Northeast Division, she then finished her HR career at the State of Maine, Natural Resources Service Center, retiring in 2012 after 30 years of service in HR. Carmen married Robert Welch in 1972 in Lewiston, Maine and resided in Winslow for 40 years. Carmen loved music, particularly playing the lap steel guitar, a joy perfected since the age of 8 years old. She also played the acoustic guitar, harmonica, ukulele and piano, all self-taught. She played music with her family and as part of a group on weekly visits to nursing homes. She also enjoyed spending summers on the lake with family, painting, wood carving and gardening. She could do anything to which she put her mind. She loved animals, especially cats, and traveling near and far with her family and friends. Carmen is survived by her husband of 45 years, Robert Welch; her two sons Eric Welch and Daniel Welch; her daughter Kristine Welch Taylor; her two brothers Larry Begin, Conrad Begin, and her two sisters Anne (Begin) Tetreault and Claire (Begin) Amero. Carmen is also survived by her two grandsons, Brodee and Beckett Welch, and many nieces and nephews. Carmen was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be remembered for her kind and beautiful heart, witty sense of humor, and exceptional musical and artistic talents. She was quick with a kind word or joke, and was always conscious of the wellbeing of others. Carmen was a communicant at St. John's Baptist Church in Winslow. The Welch family wishes to thank the staff at Maine General Hospice and Helping Hands for their compassionate care and support. Family and friends may visit from 4-7 pm on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Monday, May 22 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, 217 Switzerland Road, Lewiston, Maine. On online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to St. John's Catholic School, 15 South Garand Street, Winslow, Maine 04901.