Margaret Welsh

Shrewsbury, Mass. — Margaret Bray Welsh, also known as “Mimmi,” “Margo,” and “Marge,” resident of Shrewsbury, Mass., and a Westerly native, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the age of 91. She was born in Westerly, R.I., the daughter of the late William and Catherine Bray.

Marge was a graduate of WHS,

Class of ’51, and attended Bryant College. She was a founding member and past president of the Trillium Garden Club and active in the Arbutus, Wareham and Shrewsbury garden clubs. Marge’s passion and creativity for floral design earned her numerous awards. Additionally, she had a longstanding career with Laura Ashley in home furnishings, window displays and sales.

Marge’s love of history inspired her to volunteer as a docent at numerous museums, including the John Brown House Museum, Blithewold Mansion, Thornton Burgess Society and Gilbert Stuart Museum. Her hobbies included XC skiing, traveling, gardening, book club and spending time outdoors with her late husband of 61 years, David, and family. She was also an avid New England Patriots and Red Sox fan! Marge cherished time spent with her grandchildren and summers in Watch Hill and at the Galilee Beach Club.

She is survived by her daughters and their families: Kerri Kelly (Kevin); Kathleen Callahan (Kevin); Kristie McGonigle (Robert); and Karolyn Busconi (Brian); grandchildren David Kelly, Catherine Kelly Hill (Ryan), Kelly Callahan Gorgol (Matthew), Liam and Aidan Busconi and Amelia McGonigle; and great-granddaughter Tatum Hill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at St. Clare Catholic Church, 62 Crandall Ave., Westerly. Burial will follow at River Bend Cemetery, 117 Beach St., Westerly. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com. Donations can be made to the National Foundation for Cancer Research and Vietnam Vets Memorial Fund.