WELCH, Jane 'Penny' Simpson (née Coyne) - Died in Toronto on October 5, 2018 after a fall.
Lifelong partner and wife of the late Dr. Robert Hamilton Welch, beloved mother of Tom (Anne Lambert), Jim (Hélène Quesnel), the late Sarah (Ed Geller) and Margo and adored grandmother of Emily, Jackson, Brennen, Julia and Philippe. One must include among her “family” generations of Coyne cousins, Welch nieces and cousins and many, many dear friends.
Penny was born in Hamilton in 1922, the only child of Henry Everyll Bowes and Marjorie Simpson Coyne. She attended Strathallan School and later St. Hilda’s, Trinity College, U of T, where she graduated with a Fine Arts degree, class of 44.
Throughout her life she was devoted to family, engaged with community groups and causes and immersed in a rich social life. She loved history and was the family archivist. She loved poetry, art and theatre. She was a volunteer and leader with St. Michael’s Hospital, Bond Street Nursery School, Solar Stage Theatre Company and the Museum of the History of Medicine, during which time she co-authored the book “Nurturing Yesterday’s Child”. Since 1958, summers were spent with family and friends in PEI at Arden Cottage, a home she cherished.
Wise, emotionally strong, insightful and wickedly funny, at 96 Penny was in possession of a better memory than all of us – which she used to add colour and meaning to every conversation. Engaging with Penny you experienced all of this and felt her warmth and sincere interest in you and what you were doing… there is someone you must meet, something you should know, a book you should read! Beautiful and stylish, a vibrant dresser, she loved parties – hosting and attending. She enjoyed a daily cocktail of gin (on the rocks, no tonic, with a slice of lemon, please … dear). To the end she expressed optimism, confidence and verve. She lived life to the fullest and inspired all who knew her to do the same.
A service will be held at 2 pm on Friday October 12, 2018 at Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Dr, Toronto.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the International Conservation Fund of Canada icfcanada.org.
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