Doris “Dorrie” Marie Welch, 83, of Chamberlain, and Hancock, N.H., passed away in New Hampshire on Sept. 16.
Born April 15, 1935 to the late John “Bud” Diehl and Hazel (Sproul) Diehl, Dorrie grew up in Melrose, Mass. and summered beside the ocean in Chamberlain.
Dorrie graduated from Melrose High School, attended Dean Junior College, and earned a B.S. degree in elementary education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Mass. In the summer of 1956, she met the love of her life, Jesse Allen Welch (deceased 2008), in the Chamberlain Post Office/Tukey’s Bakery. In August 1957, the two married and began their journey together.
Dorrie began her teaching career in Veazie, continued in Rhinelander, Wis.; New London, N.H.; and ConVal School District, N.H., spending the majority of her professional years as principal of Antrim, N.H. Elementary School.
The couple settled in Chamberlain in the early 1990s where Dorrie finished out her distinguished career as a principal at Dyke-Newell Elementary School in Bath. After retirement, Dorrie continued to impact others’ lives, spending several years involved in both teaching and leadership positions with the Senior College in Thomaston.
One of the things Dorrie most loved in life was to dance with her husband. From their earliest days together, they could be found dancing at Lakehurst in Damariscotta, and later in life taking square dance lessons with friends. With a deep appreciation for the written word, Dorrie worked as a freelance writer for local newspapers at various times throughout her life, was a great collector and avid reader of books, and she researched and wrote detailed genealogy. Dorrie loved her family, and because she was gifted with her hands, she knitted, sewed, embroidered, and painted countless items throughout her years.
Dorrie is survived by, and will be deeply missed by, her son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Mary Welch of Hancock, N.H.; daughter and son-in-law, Deidra and Michael Turmelle of Newmarket, N.H.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Welch) and Alex Taaffe, Stefanie Welch, and Molly Welch; many extended family members and dear friends.
A private family service will be held at Ocean Hill Cemetery in Chamberlain.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations may be made in her name to The Carpenter’s Boat Shop, 440 Old County Rd., Pemaquid, ME 04558, carpentersboatshop.org.
