Phoebe was born in Memphis, Tennessee on the 27th of March 1926 to General Everett R. and Phoebe W. Cook. She graduated from St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia and Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Phoebe was active in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations including the Friends of The Texas Medical Center Library, The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Bayou Bend Gardens and Sheltering Arms. None was more dear to her than Texas Children’s Hospital where she served as a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees since 1979. Among her many contributions, Phoebe served on the design subcommittee and led the interiors subcommittee for the many construction programs at Texas Children’s. The wonderful merging of the clinical needs, as well as a focus on family-centered care in the interior spaces of Texas Children’s, is directly attributable to Phoebe’s sense of aesthetics, her understanding of the needs of families and her commitment to the character and mission of Texas Children’s Hospital. Phoebe was also a member of The Assembly, River Oaks Garden Club, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Houston Country Club, Bayou Club, Boothbay Yacht Club, and an honorary member of the Memphis Garden Club.
She was devoted to her family and numerous friends and brought an intellect, wisdom, perseverance, and a gracious Southern charm to everything she did. She was a quiet and tenacious competitor, whether at cards, on the Croquet court or bird shooting. She traveled extensively with her beloved husband of 50 years, John L. Welsh, Jr., enjoying hunting and fishing with dear friends.
She is survived by her children, John L. Welsh, III and wife Cheryl of Gardnerville, Nevada, Edward C. Welsh and wife Donna of Portland, Oregon, Phoebe W. Muzzy and husband Gray of Houston, Texas and, David. D. Welsh and wife Cary, also of Houston, Texas; as well as her grandchildren, Phoebe, John and Reid Welsh; Mollie and Ian Welsh; Crispin, Leslie and Everett Muzzy; Christopher and Harrison Welsh; Nicole and Christian Gerron, Paul Tinker; Houston, Carrie and Paige Wilson; and nephews and nieces, Ned and Everett Cook, Barbera Brooks, and Kendall Sekula. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Welsh, Jr.; parents, General Everett R. and Phoebe W. Cook; her brother, Edward W. Cook; and by her granddaughter, Phoebe Willingham Muzzy.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 17th of March, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A celebration of Phoebe’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 18th of March, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston.
Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a reception to be held at a venue announced during the service.
Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Mrs. Phoebe Cook Welsh may be directed to Texas Children’s Hospital, 6621 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030; or to a charity of one’s choice.
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