Monday, October 16, 2023…not long after the sun rose on another of God’s beautiful days, Lynn Welch Shea, a faithful and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, gently closed her eyes to this earthly life and went on to her eternal glory. At her passing she was 83.
Lynn was born March 23, 1940 in New Iberia to the late Morgan “Bud” Welch and the late Margaret Bridget Brown Welch Lejeune, the only only daughter of two children. Lynn was raised in a close knit family, with her grandmother Florence living in their home. She learned sewing and cooking, and many of life’s skills from her during her youth. With her father passing away at an early age, Lynn grew to love her step father, Walter Raymond Lejeune, Jr. as her own.
After her graduation from Jeanerette High School, Lynn would eventually meet the man of her dreams while dining at the Yellow Bowl Restaurant. Lynn and Michael J. “Mickey” Shea entered into Holy Matrimony and shared 67 wonderful years as a couple. Together, they raised three beautiful children and built a life filled with memories.
Mickey reminisced of the days he and Lynn spent supporting their children with Motocross racing, and Lynn being the “motocross mom” to all of the children there. She and Mickey were grateful for the friendship that their children shared with so many great friends, and enjoyed having them over to their home, treating them as if they were their own.
Lynn had many pastimes in her years. Deidre shared her mother’s love of nature. She was not only a great fisherman, but skilled at taking care of her citrus trees and vegetables. And it was no secret that she was a wonderful cook. Her roast and rice and gravy were second to none, and her spaghetti ranked high on the family’s list of favorites. She was an expert seamstress, did embroidery work, and one heck of a card player. At any given time, you could find a deck of cards on her table with Lynn ready to play a game of poker, pokeno, solitaire, or her favorite game bingo. She garnered the title of “Bingo Queen” from her friends and the staff of Maison Teche. And then there were those days when she just curled up with a good book to relax.
Above all, her greatest accomplishment and joy was that of being a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. It was what brought her most joy and happiness. Lynn leaves a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. We love you.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband and best friend of 67 years, Michael Joseph “Mickey” Shea, Sr.; her children, Michael Joseph Shea, Jr. and wife Robin; Deidre Shea Larroque and husband Jean, and Charles Walter Shea; her grandchildren, Lauren Hudson and husband Will, Stephanie Shea and fiancé Stuart, Tyler Shea, Shea Fisher, Bridget Fisher, Chase Larroque, Olivia Larroque, Hannah Shea and Matthew Shea; 9 great grandchildren; and her neice and nephew, Scarlet Welch Nakajima and Walter Welch.
Along with her parents, Lynn is preceded in death by her step father, Walter Raymond Lejeune, Jr.; her grandmother, Florence Brown; her brother, Dean Elsworth Welch; and her nephew, Morgan Welch.
Memorial services celebrating Lynn’s life will be held Monday, November 6, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Jeanerette beginning with the recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 am, led By Fr. Alexander Albert, and will be immediately followed by the Mass of Christian Burial. She will be laid to rest in St. John Cemetery.
Following the mass and burial, the family will gather at Cooper Street Coffee to greet all family and friends and share memories of her.
Michael and his family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Maison Teche Nursing Home for their continued love and care of Lynn while in residence. They would also like to thank the staff of Hope Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Lynn. You are all greatly appreciated.
Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the family by visiting Lynn’s memorial page at www.evangelinefuneralhome.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
