BELFAST – Roberta Ann (Gallagher) Welch passed away Nov. 9, 2011, in Belfast. She was born Oct. 12, 1944, in New Bedford, Mass., the first of five children of Raymond and Elizabeth Gallagher, formerly of Bowie, Md.
Roberta spent her early childhood in New Bedford, Mass., and Grafton, Mass., but in 1958 she moved near Washington, D.C., where her father worked in the federal government. The family first lived in Indian Head, Md., then finally to Bowie, Md., where her parents lived out their lives. Roberta graduated from Bowie State College with a degree in teaching and spent her career working in Prince Georges County as an elementary teacher, then as an administrator in the computer system of the education department, where she remained until her retirement. When Roberta was diagnosed with dementia in 2004, she moved in with her brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Kathryn Gallagher, in Belfast. There she received the care she needed for every stage of her disease until she was moved to Sacred Haven, a hospice home located in Belfast, Oct. 1, 2010.
Roberta was predeceased by her parents; a younger sister, Patricia Gallagher Spegel; and her sister-in-law, Kathryn Cuevas Gallagher. Roberta is survived by her three brothers, Raymond, Edward and Thomas; her son, Kevin Welch and his wife, Cindy; and her two grandsons, Dunken and Riley.
A celebration of Roberta’s life will be held 2 p.m. Nov. 19 at 102 Northport Ave., Belfast. Those who wish may make donations in Roberta’s memory to Sacred Haven Hospice Center, 17 Conni Road, Belfast, ME 04915. Online condolences may be offered at
www.ripostafh.com.