"Buffy" - Francis Carroll Wright Welch

February 2, 1932 – February 6, 2025

Francis Carroll Wright Welch, known to everyone as "Buffy", a beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, and pillar of generosity, passed away just a few days after her 93rd birthday in Cupertino, California. Born on February 2, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana, she was the daughter of Robert Francis Wright and Kathryn Douglas Powell.

Buffy attended Eleanor McMain High School in New Orleans, proudly graduating in the Class of 1949. She went on to get her college degree from Louisiana State University, where she met her future husband, Jasper Arthur Welch, Jr. Together, they built a beautiful family and loving home for their children as they followed Jasper's US Air Force career to many places.  Buffy had a wonderful way of making every house a home, and every new place and interesting adventure. Everywhere we went Buffy touched the lives of those around her.

A devoted mother, Buffy dedicated herself to raising her three children—Jasper A. Welch III, Carroll Welch Pawlikowski, and Brent Ballinger Welch. However, her role as a mother extended far beyond her biological children. The Welch home in the Washington, D.C. area became a sanctuary and steppingstone for over 50 other young people who needed a place of refuge and support as they found their way in life. She affectionately referred to it as the "Launching Pad".  Buffy's generosity knew no bounds, and she welcomed all with open arms, offering love, and a listening ear, guidance, and encouragement.

Although she and Jasper divorced in 1984, Buffy embraced this new chapter in her life, embarking on a fulfilling career as a reading specialist and teacher in the Arlington County School District. She found great joy in helping students discover the power of literacy and a love of reading, leaving a lasting impact on countless young minds.

In 2006 Buffy retired to Cupertino, California where she spent her remaining years surrounded by the love of family and friends. She invested her time and treasure in her community there, singing in the church choir at St. Marks, trimming the roses at her retirement home, editing the newsletter there and once again, enriching the lives of those around her.

Buffy is survived by her children, Jasper A. Welch III (Susie), Carroll Welch Pawlikowski (Bob), and Brent Ballinger Welch (Jolene), 9 grandchildren and 10 great grand-children, her life-long friend of 80 years, Patsy Hunter and her honorary daughter Kathy Sibert, along with countless others who considered her a second mother, friend and confidant. Her legacy of kindness, generosity, and love will forever be remembered.

A service to celebrate Buffy's life will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palo Alto, California, on May 31, 2025. If you would like to join us as we celebrate her legacy, please reach out to the family for further details.

To honor her memory, in lieu of flowers, please donate a book to your local library, lend a listening ear to a friend, or support a budding young person as they get started on their career.