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SISTER MADELINE WELCH, 1941 – 2013

Sr. Madeline Welch, O.S.U.
June 14, 1941 – January 8, 2013

Sister Madeline Welch, former provincial of the Ursulines of the Eastern Province USA, civil lawyer and canon lawyer, died peacefully at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx on January 8, 2013.

Legal service was her ministry from the time she received a law degree from Fordham University in 1974; she was admitted to the NY State Bar in 1975.

Madeline was generous in her assistance to those seeking legal advice. From 1974 to 1984, she was an attorney with the Legal Aid Society. She served as superior of the St. Teresa Community in New Rochelle (1984-1987). From there she went to Rome, studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, and earned a JCL in Canon Law in 1989. From 1989 to 1991 she was director of legal services to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the National Association of Treasurers of Religious Institutes (NATRI).

She was provincial of the Ursulines of the Eastern Province (1991-1997). She then was deputy director for legal service for the Ministry of Caring (1998-2000) in Wilmington, Del. She next served as attorney to the Community Legal Aid Society in Wilmington, from 2001 to 2007. From there, she became superior of the Ursuline Generalate in Rome. For health reasons, she returned to New York in 2009.

Madeline loved the history of the Ursuline Order; she located and distributed art and music by and about Ursulines. She also delighted in preparing special events, prayer services, and meals for feast days and other occasions.

Madeline entered the Ursulines in 1962 and made her final vows on March 28, 1970. She taught at St. Angela’s School in the Bronx from 1967 to 1981. She held a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from LeMoyne College and a master’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University. Over the years she served on many boards. She has spoken on legal matters to a variety of groups.

Mary Madeline Welch, named Margaret, was born on June 14, 1941 to Marie McGuirk and Richard Welch, in Syracuse, NY. She is predeceased by her brother Charles and her sister Maureen; she is survived by two brothers, Richard and Sean, and many nephews and nieces.

Wake was held at the Ursuline Province Center in New Rochelle on Friday, January 11, 2013.

Mass of Christian Burial was offered on January 12 at the Province Center, and burial was at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery.