Diane Susan Welch, of Moscow, went home to Jesus, May 12, 2019. She passed away peacefully from complications of COPD at her home in Moscow, after a beautiful Mother’s Day with family. She was 72.
Diane was born Oct. 20, 1946, in Anacortes, Wash. to Arthur Grove and Dolores Lalone Grove. When she was 16 the family relocated to Missouri where she attended Smith-Cotton Jr./Sr. High, graduating in 1964. After high school Diane eventually relocated to Florida. She retired from the Miami/Dade County Parks and Recreation department in 1992.
After retirement, Diane came to Moscow for a visit and fell in love with Moscow and the Palouse. She immediately made her home in Moscow from that time on. After moving to Moscow she met Gary Welch, and they were married Dec. 23, 1993.
Diane was a member of the Fraternal order of Eagles, Gritman Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society — Gems of the Palouse. She loved to golf, sail and bowl and was an avid reader. She was unbeatable at Scrabble.
Diane is survived by her husband Gary Welch at their Moscow home; sons Bryan Elliott, of Miami. and Christopher (Nickie) Kalla, of Potlatch; daughter Lisa (Jim) Wood, of Independence, Mo.; half-brother David (Mary) Grove; sister DeEtt (Jim) Roach, of Moscow; grandchildren Savannah and Jordan Kalla and Nathaniel Wood and seven nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dennis Grove.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2019, at Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow, followed by a potluck and celebration of life at the Moscow Eagles Lodge at 1 p.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow and condolences may be left and flowers sent at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com.
