Gloria Ann (Bloomquist) Welch died December 24, 2018, at her home at Henry Ford Village, Dearborn. Beloved wife of the late Richard F. ("Dick") Welch. Devoted mother of Barbara Skaggs and husband Richard of Acton MA, Richard of Pontiac, and Jeffrey of Flushing. Cherished grandmother of Andrew, Kathryn, Kristina, and Peter. She was preceded in death by her siblings Audrey Race, Sylvia Bloomquist, Leonard Bloomquist, and Barbara Tuchman. Also survived by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bruce and Donna Chambers and Eugene and Minnie Welch. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

A longtime resident of Allen Park, Gloria was born in Chicago, IL, to the late Anna and Axel Bloomquist. She was a conservatory-trained operatic soprano and sang with several music groups, including her church choir. Gloria was actively involved in the life of Allen Park Presbyterian Church since the l950s. She and Dick especially enjoyed the good times they shared with their "Merry Mates" fellowship group. She worked for many years as an executive secretary, most recently at Uniroyal in Allen Park, from which she retired in 1986. After their retirement, Gloria and Dick spent many happy years in Green Valley, AZ, entertaining friends and family and square dancing. Gloria was an active resident of Henry Ford Village for the past 15 years, singing in the choir, leading trips to the Detroit Symphony, and creating and hosting the "Laugh Out Loud" club.

Gloria will be dearly missed, but we are consoled by the knowledge that she lived a full and fulfilling life and is now at eternal rest in heaven.

Memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, January 8 from 4-9 p.m. at Howe Peterson Funeral Home, Dearborn. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 9, at 11 a.m. at the Allen Park Presbyterian Church, with visitation preceding the service at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Allen Park Presbyterian Church or to the Richard '50 and Gloria Welch Scholarship Fund at Hope College, Holland MI.