Woodsville, NH – Waltraud "Trudy" Erna Margot (Brendel) Welch, 90, of Maple Street, died Sunday, May 27, 2018, at Cottage Hospital, Woodsville.

Known as "Oma" to many, she was born in Lowenburg, Germany (now Poland), October 17, 1927, a daughter of Artur and Else (Jerkel) Brendel.  Upon her marriage on September 18, 1952, in Pegnitz, Germany, to Richard F. Welch, who was stationed in Germany at the time, she left her home and family.  They were stationed in Virginia, Hawaii, and Maine, where she became a US citizen in 1959.  Eventually they settled in Vermont in 1968 and later to New Hampshire.

For more than 16 years, she worked at McAllister Jewelers in Woodsville as a sales clerk, and acquired a love of jewelry.  Trudy enjoyed handwork such as knitting, crocheting, quilting and making afghans; along with reading, history, and stories about the early West.  She liked playing card games (and winning), driving her car, and decorating her apartment.  An independent woman, she was fashionable and ferociously political.  She loved German cooking and traveled back to her homeland many times with her family.  She attended the Horse Meadow Senior Center in North Haverhill regularly, for activities and senior meals, before becoming a volunteer.  Trudy's days were filled with laughter and love, right to the end.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard F. Welch on January 3, 1982, and by three brothers and a sister.

Surviving family members include her three daughters, Bessie Welch of Virginia Beach, VA, Karen Whalen and husband Stephen of Woodsville, and Andrea Welch and husband Mark Allen of Grantham, NH; seven grandchildren, Joy Fichiera and husband Paul of Chandler, AZ, Jennifer Whalen and husband Jeff Ho also of Chandler, Jesse Tyler and husband, Christopher of Littleton, NH, Matthew Lane and wife Sarah of Swans Island, ME, Robin Esposito and husband Jason of South Kingston, RI, Samantha Carle and partner Josh Fellows of Wells River, VT, and Casey Welch of Washington, DC; twelve  great grandchildren, Ryley, Tucker, Liam, Jackson, Alexandra, Sheffield, Haley, Laurel, Elise, Lucas, Jaden, and Tyler; her brother, Roland Brendel of Fichtelberg, Germany; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, David Dynarski of North Haverhill, NH.

Her family wishes her, " Hamalato, Oma, we will miss you."

Trudy's family is grateful for the exceptional care she received during her three-week stay at Cottage Hospital.

At Trudy's request, there will be no calling hours.

A graveside service will be on Friday, June 15th at 11 AM in the Groton Village Cemetery, Groton, VT, with Melissa Gould serving as Funeral Celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Horse Meadow Senior Center, 91 Horse Meadow Road, North Haverhill, NH  03774.