Madlyne (Lyne) T. (Noonan) Welch

 Madlyne (Lyne) Welch, 87, was called to heaven on February 21, 2021.  Lyne was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on February 28, 1933 to Cornelius and Madeline Noonan.  She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Dennis in 2013.  Surviving is her husband of 67 years, James  Welch of Wilmington, NC; sister Connie Roberts of Braintree, MA; daughter Kathy Welch of Wilmington, NC; sons Rick Welch of Harwinton, CT; Kevin Welch (Carla) of Norwalk, CT; Michael Welch of Pompano Beach, FL; Stephen (Zip) Welch of Norwalk, CT and daughter-in-law Bonnie Welch of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; her grandchildren, Erica, Pamela, Kristin, Emily, Shannon, Kaitlin, Kyle, Michael, James, Jaime, Sean and John; her great grandchildren, Alex, Ella, Ryder and Hunter and many nieces and nephews.

Lyne spent her childhood in Somerville, Massachusetts until her marriage in 1953.  Her married life took her to New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Utah until she settled in Wilmington, NC in 1999.

Lyne believed in marriage, motherhood and her Catholic faith.  She was blessed to be a stay at home mom, a role she treasured. 

Lyne was the ultimate sports mom.  Her life was spent in various hockey rinks and sporting arenas across the Northeast.  Rarely was there a game that you wouldn’t see her in the stands vocally supporting her children.  In her free time Lyne loved to travel, crochet, read, visit her extended family, listen to her favorite music and watch her favorite Boston sports teams.

Lyne and her husband were fortunate to be able to travel and cruise the globe, yet she was always happiest at home with her family and friends. 

Lyne was an active member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Wrightsville Beach, NC where her husband was Deacon for many years. 

Lyne survived battles with three types of cancer and subsequent surgeries but suffered a debilitating stroke in 2013 following the death of her son, Dennis.  She valiantly fought to overcome its effects for over 7 years.  The last 21 months of her life were spent in the care of the Davis Community in Porters Neck and Lower Cape Fear Life Care.   Her family would like to thank the many staff members who cared for her at Davis, especially Natalie, Colette and James, with whom she developed a special bond. 

Lyne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  She devoted her life to her family and her children feel honored to have had her as their mother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Norwalk, CT at  10:30am.   Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the graveside service will be private for family only and will be held at St. John Cemetery in Norwalk, CT immediately following the Mass.

A memorial service may be planned for later in Wilmington, NC. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation made be made to Catholic Charities, 20 N. 4th Street, Unit 300, Wilmington, NC  28405.