Obituary: Terry Lee Welch

Terry Lee Welch

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Terry Lee Welch, 78, passed away on Oct. 14, 2026, in Winter Haven, Florida, following a brief illness.

Terry was born on March 27, 1948, in Gorham, to Andrew Dionne and Arlene (Shane) Dionne. She attended Gorham schools and, after raising her family, pursued her passion for hairstyling by attending Headhunters School of Hair Design. She earned her cosmetology license in 1987 and spent the next 35 years serving countless loyal clients from her home salon. Terry loved her work and treasured the many friendships she built along the way.

In 1971, she married Henry “Skip” Welch, and together they raised their family in Westbrook. After retiring in 2011, they moved to Florida. Although they enjoyed their Florida home, Maine always remained close to Terry’s heart. For many years, they returned each summer to Sebago Lake, continuing the tradition until 2023, when Alzheimer’s disease made travel and caregiving more challenging.

Terry was an enthusiastic bingo player, Scrabble enthusiast and devoted Texas Hold’em competitor. She enjoyed participating in tournaments and played in casinos throughout the United States and the Bahamas. Whether competing in a major casino tournament or playing in the semi-weekly $10 Texas Hold’em games at her retirement community clubhouse, she loved the excitement, camaraderie, and competition.

Above all, Terry was a kind and caring soul. She treated everyone she met with warmth, respect, and compassion and was always willing to help those in need, especially family members and those less fortunate. Anyone who knew Terry knew that if she saw someone asking for help at a traffic light, she would roll down her window, offer a smile, and hand over a few dollars without hesitation.

Terry’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who took immense pride in her children and the people they became. Her family’s guiding principle was simple: “Always be kind. It’s not that hard.” Having become a mother at a young age, Terry was blessed to watch all of her grandchildren grow into adulthood, and she was immensely proud of each of them. A close-knit family that cared deeply for one another meant everything to her, and she cherished the strong bonds they shared.

The last three years of Terry’s life were marked by the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease, yet she faced them with remarkable grace and determination. She continued to embrace life, finding joy in everyday moments. Her quick wit and sharp sense of humor remained with her until the very end. Simple pleasures, including her regular trips to Wendy’s for lunch and Dairy Queen for a vanilla cone, brought her happiness and became cherished rituals until her stroke.

Terry is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Henry “Skip” Welch; her children, Denise Usher and her husband Jeff of Buxton, Debbie Strout and her husband Scott of North Yarmouth, Jeff Morris and his wife Nerine of Gorham, and Marcie Aube and her husband Jason of Gorham; her grandchildren, Nichole, Shawna, Andrew, Ackelia, Josh, and Matt; and her great-grandchildren, Asyia and Kane. She is survived by her brother Larry and his partner Sandra from Arizona, and her sister Jeannette and her husband Sherrill from Gorham. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Harland; and her sisters, Virginia, Helen, and Kate.

A special thanks to her best friend Carolyn Mooney, who was always there to take her to bingo, get her nails done, take her to lunch, or provide caregiving support whenever it was needed.

A private graveside service for family will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to honor Terry’s memory may make a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 U.S. Route 1,

Suite 2C,

Scarborough, ME 04070,

or online at

alz.org/maine

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