(Jan. 10, 2009)
Tomi J. Welsh died Saturday, Jan. 10 at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, Mich. after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 23, 1953, in Powell, the daughter of the late Dr. Jack and Rose (Norton) Stahn.
She graduated from Powell High School in 1972. Tomi then attended Sheridan College and received her degree in dental hygiene. Tomi met the love of her life, Michael L. Welsh in Sheridan, while they both were attending college, and they were married on Aug. 16, 1974, in Powell. After their marriage, they moved to Mt. Pleasant, Mich. so Michael could complete his degree at Central Michigan University. During that time, Tomi was employed as a dental hygienist. After Michael’s graduation from college they settled in Manistee. During Tomi’s professional career as a dental hygienist in the Manistee area, she was employed by Dr. Donald Miller for over 20 years.
She was a member of the Manistee Golf and Country Club and had a great passion and love for the game of golf. She also had a great love for horses, which began as a child in Wyoming and continued throughout her life. Her passion for horses was shared by her daughter, Casey. Tomi also enjoyed the solitude of reading, whenever she had the chance. For many years, she was the Manistee Catholic Central Girls Basketball statistician. She was a communicant of Guardian Angels Catholic Church of Manistee.
She is survived by her husband, Michael L. Welsh of Manistee; daughter Casey Welsh of Manistee; Casey’s fiance, Matthew Brucker of Wadsworth, Ohio; son Kelly Welsh of Palm Springs, Calif.; brother and sister in-law, Jeff and Elvira Stahn of Gallup, N.M.; sisters Joni (John) Hazlitt of Arvada, Colo., Geri (Dan) Prell of Powell, and Marta (Dan) Conlon of Corona, Calif. and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Karen Anicito, Toni Wren and Teresa Stahn.
According to Tomi’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Thursday, Jan.15, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee with Rev. James Bears officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday morning, one hour before the funeral mass. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorials in Tomi’s name for the Manistee Catholic Central Athletic Association or to the Manistee Humane Society — Homeward Bound Animal Shelter. The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.