Helen Welch Athay

Portsmouth, RI - Helen Welch Athay, beloved wife, mother and sister, died November 15, 2009 as a result of complications from surgery.Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Robert E. Athay of Portsmouth, RI; her sister Joan Welch Loosle of Logan, UT; her brother David Welch of Bountiful, UT; her children Robert Athay of Woodbridge, VA, Lawrence Athay of Essex, CT and Alyce Athay Croasdale of Wakefield, RI; her grandchildren, Jared, Rachel, David, Michael, Lauren; and great granddaughter Amelia. Helen was born in October 15, 1925 in Logan, Utah, the oldest daughter of Wilford and Ruby Welch. She was the middle child with older brothers Wilford and Ray, a younger sister Joan, and a younger brother David. Helen graduated Logan High School in 1943 and earned her RN in 1946. As a young woman, Helen was a public health nurse among Native Americans and loggers in northern Idaho. She later practiced nursing at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville and at various hospitals in the Washington, DC area. Helen married Robert Athay on April 2, 1948 and lived with her family in the Washington, D.C. area from 1952 to 1975 and from 1980 to 1986. She lived in Middletown, RI from 1975 to 1980, and Portsmouth, RI from 1986 to present. Helen was an excellent seamstress and in her later years became an avid quilter. She loved animals, especially birds. Such a sweetheart... is perhaps the most common phrase used to describe Helen. She spent her life as a comforter and caregiver. Completely devoted to her family, she had a unique way of making each feel loved and valued. Through her quiet and unassuming manner she avoided the spotlight, focusing instead on meeting the needs of those she served in the community, her church and her family. Helen was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Boston, Massachusetts Temple from is opening in 2000 until the present. Calling hours will be held Thursday, November 19th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 20th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 177 Miantonomi Avenue, Middletown.Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.