Colleen Welch, 78

Colleen Louise (Cody) Welch, age 78, died peacefully at home in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with beloved family members at her side. 

At her request there will be no formal service. Her ashes will be interred at Spokane Memorial Gardens near her parents.

Colleen "Connie" Welch was born on September 4, 1946, to William F. and Olive D. (Duursma) Cody. As a child she lived with her family in several towns in Montana, as well as in Washington, Minnesota and Colorado.

Connie graduated from Missoula County High School in 1964 and briefly attended the University of Montana. She then relocated to Davenport, Washington, where she met and married Dave E. Collier and had four children. As a young woman she taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school, and helped lead local scout troops. Later in life, she worked as a successful real estate agent in the Spokane area, followed by work as a paralegal in estate planning and guardianships.

In 1988 Connie married Larry J. Welch, a pilot for Pan American World Airways. They had the opportunity to travel together to many places, and lived in Berlin at the historic moment the Berlin Wall came down. They also lived in Washington, Texas, Kentucky and Idaho. One of her favorite sayings was "and then we moved."

Connie had a great sense of humor, a gift for counseling people, and the ability to entertain people with a grand meal and a good story. She loved her family, her lifelong friends, traveling (especially to the coast of Oregon), fly fishing in Montana, kayaking, boating, entertaining large groups of friends, gardening, dancing, small ship cruises, book clubs, and Alaska.

In her own words: "Each of my children was my FAVORITE! Axel Severtsen, my only biological grand-human was my best boy ever!"

Connie was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Ollie and her husband Larry. She is survived by her children, Tamara Meier (husband Charles Gallant), James Collier (partner Tiffany Linnes), Kelly Chivens and Tracey Severtsen (husband Ed); and grandson, Axel. She is also survived by her sister, Kathy Cody; her nephew, Michael Cody (Betsy); great-nephew, Russell; and great-niece, Vivian. She is survived by her step-son, John K. Welch (Raelene); and step-grandchildren, Justin Welch and Taylor Marinca; and by several cousins and their families.

In her honor, Connie asked that contributions be made to "Kindness. Not a charity, but please make it a habit."