Sylvia Welch

Sylvia Mary Balash Welch of Winnie, Texas was entrusted to God’s loving care on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. She was born January 8, 1931 in Kingston, New York to Agnes and Andrew Balash. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth P. (KP) Welch; brothers, Francis and Andrew and sister, Pearl.

Sylvia grew up along the Hudson River among the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel throughout the United States working at various resorts. In Tucson, Arizona, she met the love of her life, Kenneth and together they returned to his home state of Louisiana. They made their home in Maplewood, Louisiana and raised two daughters, Kathy and Lisa.

Sylvia was Dr. Roy Sasser’s office manager for twenty-three years and a member of Maplewood First Baptist Church. She prided herself on learning the art of southern cooking and even more so the joy of sharing. Her tins of Christmas treats were highly anticipated and enjoyed by family and friends. Following her husband’s death Sylvia moved to Winnie, Texas to be a part of her grandson’s life. There, she was a member of the St. Louis Catholic Church, the Young at Heart committee and a Pink Lady at the Winnie Community Hospital.

Sylvia is survived by her daughter Kathleen (Kathy) Welch and her husband, Keith M. Rising of Westlake, Louisiana and daughter Lisa Hughes and grandson Ethan Hughes of Winnie, Texas; her sister in laws, Katherine Marshall of Tampa, Florida and Sue Balash of Kingston, New York; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 14, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Deacon Bud Wagner will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines South Cemetery in Carlyss. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.