Alice May Welsh

  General Notes:

A letter from Alice to her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Miller, in 1942. Her grandparents had moved to 12041 Torrey Road, Fenton, Michigan by that time. Alice's address was 19340 Will, Box 478 R#4, Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Alice was 9 years old.

Dear Grandma,
Of course I'd answer your letters. I guess that pen wasn't meant to write with anyway. Eldon hasn't forgotten you or anyone else, he just has been working again. He passed his test and is just waiting to be called. He hasn't gone to Camp Custer yet and he's fine. Tell Grandpa not to worry, everything's alright. There's a boy that lived down the street that is in New Guinea now. As for me working hard in school listen to this. I got A in everything. The reason Gracie is going to school is because they were not crowded. Mary Ellen is everything that Eldon says she is. Momma is pretty busy these days. And Mary Ellen had a bad cold Friday and so we couldn't come. But we will come soon. We were off school last Wed., Thurs. and Fri. So you have a new phone. What is it a dial? Did you know we looked at a farm out by Armada and are going to move there soon? Daddy came home tonight with a big turkey about ten pounds heavy and so we'll have turkey for Thanksgiving. We have organized a Red Cross club here and we're getting along fine. Some of us knit and some sew. I think I'll write aunt Olly a line or two tonight so I'll have to cut it short.
Your loving grandaughter, Alice

Alice was always called Sister. She describes how this came about:
When Mom was pregnant for me, she told Fred he was going to have a baby brother or sister. I turned out to be the latter, and he logically called me "sister". The name stuck. There are a few funny stories about people mistaking the generic "sister" for the religious orders of "Sisters" -- The next question in that mix-up was, "Which order is your sister in?" I will leave you to unravel the various confusions that arose from such exchanges.


Alice Welsh Davies obituary published in The Detroit News & Detroit Free Press on Oct. 15, 2017:

Alice age 84, died peacefully at St. Anne's Mead on September 30, 2017 in Southfield, Michigan with her family by her side.

Preceded in death by her husband, Hugh, who died on September 2, 2005 after 51 years of marriage, her sister, Grace Winslow and her brother, Eldon Coller. Survived by brothers Fred Welsh, Bob Welsh and sister, Meg Widmer. Sisters-in-law, Doreen Lawton and Gwyn Glove. Mother of Evan, Hugh and Anne. Grandma to Trevor, Nathan, Cody, Brianne, Danica, Cassandra, Keenan and Liam. Great-grandma to Parker, Morgan, Rowan, Carter and Natalia. Aunt Alice to Mark, Gary, Linden, Ethel, Elaine, Vincent, September, Sue, Bill, Colton, Gayle, Patty and Pammy.

Alice was born on January 5, 1933 to Edward and Ethel Welsh in Flint, Michigan. The family lived in Roseville, Michigan before moving to Welsh Orchards in 1941. Alice graduated from high school at the age of 17 and went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Education from Alma College. Alice met her future husband while working on 'The Taming of the Shrew' together at Alma. Alice and Hugh "Bud" Davies were married in 1954 and enjoyed 51 years of marriage. Alice worked as a music teacher until her third child was born in 1964. When Alice rejoined the work force, she wrote for the Milford Times for several years until being hired full time at Milford High School to teach English. Alice was also involved in the drama program at the high school. In 1993 Alice retired from teaching to join the Peace Corps. She traveled to Sri Lanka to teach English. When she returned from the Peace Corps, Alice and Bud enjoyed travel to England, Scotland, France and Italy. Alice loved art, music and theatre. She was a Master Gardner, accomplished pianist, and member of a wind ensemble group that performed yearly at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Alice was full of curiosity and never tired of learning new things, meeting new people and having new experiences. She was passionately involved with the Democratic party, ran for Oakland County Commissioner and served as president of the board for Huron Valley Schools. Alice was a lifetime supporter of NPR and PBS. Alice's legacy is planted in the heart of everyone that knew her and the family that was at the center of her world.

The family welcomes all to attend a Memorial Service in Celebration of Alice's life on Sunday, October 29 from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Bakers of Milford. Memorial tributes to the Alzheimer's Association.

Alice married Dr. Hugh Palmer Davies Ph.D., son of Davies and Ora Minnie Palmer, on 22 Aug 1954 in Armada Congregational Church, Armada, Michigan. (Dr. Hugh Palmer Davies Ph.D. was born on 1 Mar 1935 in Pontiac, Michigan and died on 2 Sep 2005 in Milford, Michigan.)