Obituary: Gladys Marie 'Sis' Welchans, 98, of New Haven

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Gladys Marie “Sis” (Seward) Welchans of New Haven passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 16, 2022 at the home in Clinton of her late daughter’s family. The second child of the late William H. and Gladys Burns Seward, Sis was born in New Haven on September 25, 1923 and lived there all of her life, most of it on Quinnipiac Avenue. She met Edward J. Welchans Jr. and their first date was a football game at the Yale Bowl. Ed stepped away during the game to speak to a friend, turned around and saw her sitting in the bleachers and knew right then that she was going to be his wife. They married on September 18, 1943 and celebrated 52 years together before Ed’s death in 1996. Their beloved daughter Barbara was born in 1945.

Sis worked in the wire shop at AC Gilbert for several years but spent most of her life as a homemaker. Although of Irish/English ancestry, she was described by a friend as “Italian by association” due to her Fair Haven upbringing and fondness for making Italian food. Her lasagna, eggplant parmigiana and ham pie were staples at holiday meals where there was always room at the table for friends or relatives who dropped by. Anginettes, pineapple squares and her mother’s applesauce cake were on every dessert table at family picnics and were accompanied by Italian fig cookies at Christmas. Sis was an accomplished seamstress and made many outfits for her loved ones, including a christening gown for her granddaughter from Barbara’s prom dress. She also loved to crochet and taught both of these skills to her granddaughter.

Whether one knew her as ‘Sis’, ‘Aunt Sis’, ‘Gramma’, ‘Ma’ or ‘Mrs. Welchans’, whether related by blood or by marriage or neither, whether friend or neighbor, everyone was family to Gladys, and she had a special place in her heart for anyone open to her love. She adored babies, loved animals, gave generously, and devoted her life and soul to her family and to God.

In addition to her parents and husband, Sis was predeceased by her daughter Barbara Skolones, son-in-law Raymond Skolones, sisters Mary Burwell and Nora Saddig and brothers William Jr. and James Seward. She is survived by her granddaughter Jennifer Struwe of Levittown, Pennsylvania, and by her grandson Michael Skolones, and his better half Adrienne, of Francestown, New Hampshire, as well as by three generations of nieces, nephews and cousins who will greatly miss her.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Krystyna Bakul for her deep compassion, love and service to Gladys during the last months of her life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 at St. Mary Church of St. John Bosco Parish in Branford. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven.