Christina Welch

Christina Welch of Marlton, NJ passed away peacefully from complications from an auto accident on April 17th.  She was 86.

Christina was born in Canton, China during the war between China and Japan in 1938 to a Chinese mother, Mary (nee Wong) Welch and American father, Raymond Welch. When Chris’s family moved to the the US, they settled in Camden, NJ where she attended and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1959.  She went on to Rutgers University- Camden, majoring in Education. Later, she earned a Master’s degree from Temple University. 

Chris spent her 39 year teaching career in West Berlin, NJ teaching Kindergarten.  She taught thousands of children and was constantly recognized throughout South Jersey by her former students - most of whom she remembered, even in her final days.  

After her retirement, Chris continued to contribute to her community.  She was a dedicated volunteer, serving as an Ambassador of Blood Donations for the Red Cross as well as a member of the Virtua/West Jersey Hospital Auxiliary in Marlton.  Before the pandemic, she was a volunteer at Marlton Christian Academy. 

Chris was a woman of deep faith and was a ruling elder, active deacon and instrumental in the prayer shawl ministry at Christ Presbyterian church in Marlton until it closed last year.  She also attended Medford United Methodist Church, where she played in the Bell Choir and had recently become a member.

Chris survived a Japanese prisoner of war camp, a terrible illness as a child that kept her bed-ridden for five years, two bouts of breast cancer, hip and knee surgeries, and never complained or became embittered.  She was a beloved Phillies fan, neighbor, volunteer, teacher, friend and Auntie.  She will be forever missed.

Christina is survived by her family: her best friend of 70 years, Carol Reilly of Medford; her goddaughter, Christina (Carl) Reilly-Fazzina, grand-godchildren Michael Fazzina and Theresa Fazzina of Wethersfield, CT; her beloved former student Bobbi (Billy) Hess of West Berlin and the entire Ransden/Hess family; and her cousin, Peggy Sardarian of Haddonfield. She is also survived by a countless legion of friends who loved her dearly.  

A visitation for Christina will be held on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 pm, all at Medford United Methodist Church, 2 Hartford Rd., Medford, NJ, 08055.

In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions in Christina’s memory may be made to the Burlington County Red Cross at redcross.org or to the Virtua Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store at givetovirtua.org or by mail at Virtua Health Mobile Grocery Store, ℅ Virtua Foundation, 303 Lippincott Drive, 4th Floor, Marlton, NJ 08053.

Arrangements under the direction of the Bradley & Stow Funeral Home 127 Medford-Mt. Holly Road, Medford, NJ 08055.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.bradleystow.com/obituary/Christina-Welch

(www.BradleyStow.com)

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