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A lovely lady known as Bev died on November 6, 2020. Bev was born Beverly Ann Canfield to Charles and Mildridge Canfield in San Luis Obispo 73 years ago. Bev grew up in Hoopa, where she attended elementary school and graduated from Hoopa High. After high school Bev and her friend Judy moved to Oregon to work at a company that made mobile home vents. Bev had many fond memories with Judy. At one point someone installed vents backwards and the work crew had to be uninstalled and redo all the vents. They laugh now, but it wasn’t so funny then. Sometimes at the end of the month when there wasn’t much money between the two they would eat Saltines and make the best of it.

Bev later moved to Trinity County, got married and divorced, then married in 1971 to Jack Welch. They had daughter and a son, Nancy and Christopher. During this time Jack and Bev bought a house in Arcata. Bev was a wonderful stay-at-home mom, happily devoted to keeping the house up and running and taking the kids to any and all events that occurred and so much more.

About 1986 Bev started working at Jacoby Creek School, working in the cafeteria serving lunches. That is where Bev bloomed. No longer was she just known as Nancy and Chris’s mom. She loved the kids and gave loads of hugs. Bev was also the crossing guard at Jacoby Creek School. She watched as the crosswalk evolved over the years. The hustle in bustle in the morning could make for a dangerous walk. Bev took her job very seriously as a crossing guard and appreciated those who respected that. There is a short video that was made a few years ago called “Stop, Look and Listen.” Bev was honored to be a part in the video. The video is on YouTube and is another kid-friendly tool to encourage safety. Bev made so many wonderful friends at JCS. Friends that fought for her to keep her job when budget cuts were being taken. Friends that knew she was having a hard time at home taking care of her elderly cantankerous mom. Friends that were great to laugh with. Friends that when there was cake in the staff room, would save her a piece. She loved working at Jacoby Creek School.

I was reminded that Bev also worked at the Bayside Market for a time for Julie Moore. Forming a beautiful friendship. Bev would help Julie start her business day.

Bev worked quite a few years at Bayside Post Office. She sorted paper to be recycled, cleaned the lobby to her standards, swept the outside and much more. Whatever she was doing she was always up for a friendly hello or wave .

Bev absolutely love spending time with her family. Whether it was camping, making Halloween costumes, hand-stitching quilts, gardening or playing games. Anything that brought her favorite people together would make her happy. Bev would have her two grandkids (Zach and Riley) over for sleepovers. Often times they would do crafts, play games and sometimes pull weeds and make a game out of that! Hanging with the girls on our annual ladies camping trip was a thing she looked forward to. A long weekend of playing games, swimming, telling stories and jokes.

Bev excelled as a painter. In the beginning she took some art classes in oil. But, for the most part she was self-taught. She religiously followed Bob Ross and Bill Alexander on PBS. If it didn’t move there was a good chance she would paint it. That is what we always teased her. Her most recent painting projects were done in acrylics, which was her favorite. But she painted or tried at least once in most all mediums. Bev painted on boots, rocks, canvas, pumpkins, flower pots and faces etc.

Bev loved making people happy. She, hated the act of bullying and hospitals. In the end, she passed away in her own bed at home and on her own terms. Exactly the way she wanted.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents Mildridge and Charles Canfield; siblings Dorothy Denton, Betty Almond, Coralie Canfield, Rose McCoy, Robert Canfield and James Canfield.; nieces Shelly Denton and Doreena Ruth; nephew Robby Canfield.

Beverly Welch is survived by her husband Jack Welch; children Nancy Sanders husband Bruce; son Christopher Welch; grandson Zachery Sanders and granddaughter Riley Sanders; nieces and nephews Kelli Welch, Kevin Welch, Timothy Denton, Tammy Harris, Tracy Sloan, Randy Coleman and Ronnie Coleman.

Bev’s family would like to give a huge thank you to Delma Powell, Michael Lindsey, Moms neighbor Carla, Lorre Hopson, Terri Scholz, John and Julie Moore, Kris Croy and family, Bev’s Nurse Catina, Sonya Jackson and Moms longtime friend and honorary family member, Mark Cofield. Mark gave Bev and her family his love, his time and knowledge of caregiving. We appreciate all of you so very much. I’m sure many more who we have forgotten to mention. Thank you for all the love, cards, and well wishes. You mattered. Celebration of life will be at a unknown later date.

Mom, we love you so very much. You will never be forgotten.