Barbara Ellen Welch

Barbara Ellen (Seal) Welch born November 9, 1939, in Indianapolis of the late Justin and Nellie (O’Connor) Seal of Indianapolis passed away at the age of 84 on January 14, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years William Welch. Barbara was deeply spiritual with a drive for theological knowledge. She was a long-time member of Saint Joan of Arc parish. Barbara was especially fond of childhood memories of family time spent on their summer farm on the Tippecanoe River. She grew up in Saint Phillip Neri parish and attended Saint Phillip Neri grade school, was in the first graduating class of Scecina Memorial High School in 1957 and went on to attend Saint Louis University, Purdue University & University of South Florida with a degree in Mathematics and Education. She pursued a Masters in Theology at Loyola of Chicago and Saint Meinrad. She had a long career in education teaching at multiple schools including Saint Joan of Arc, Holy Spirit, Cathedral High School and Saint Roch within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. She taught for over 30 years and had a gift for deeply listening and bonding with children that needed a little assistance believing in themselves. Barbara then went into administration and was the Director of Religious Education at Holy Spirit and Saint Susanna in Plainfield. There she found her true calling assisting others in their religious education and Catechism. She truly loved being a part of bringing people into the Church and strengthening their knowledge of Catholicism. After retiring in 2007, she enjoyed gardening, visiting grandchildren and family, volunteering for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, spent many enjoyable years with the Saint Joan of Arc Bible Study friends and luncheons with her childhood friends ‘The Jills’. Barbara is survived by her brother George Seal (Joann) and sister-in-law Geri (David). Preceded in death by her brothers Bill (Peggy), David and sister Marlene Queisser (Fred). She is survived by her children Billy, Tim, Brendan (Teri), Justina Moran (Kevin) and Connor (Kathy). Her grandchildren Chris Snodgrass (Lindsay), Alison Hurd (Patrick), Amanda Brand (Adam), Kirstin, Emma Roberts (Tyler), Collin, Dillan, Jax, Luke Moran and Sarah Moran and great grandchildren Kaden Hays, Callie Snodgrass, Sarah Shawver, Liam and Rowen Hurd, Ben and Joseph Brand, Avery Welch, and Myles Moran. She was loved and will be missed by many friends, nieces, nephews, and extended family members. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or the contributor’s favorite charity. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4217 Central Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205 with a mass to follow at 12:00 pm.