Myra Betty Welsh, devoted wife of the late Melvin Welsh and loving mother of Christine, Theresa, Michael, James and Robert died peacefully on December 31st at her Cockeysville home in the presence of three of her five children, Theresa, Michael and Robert.  Myra, born December 25, 1927, had just turned 97 on Christmas Day. Myra was born in Baltimore to Alfred and Ernestine Lang.  She and Melvin married in 1948 and together they raised five children. Myra was widowed in 2001. She had a keen interest in life-long learning, loved to write and sing and performed with the Sweet Adelines.  Myra touched the lives of many family members and friends through her poignant letters and cards she so often loved to write.  As a young adult, she converted to Catholicism and became a devoted Catholic who loved the Lord and often took His message to jails and institutions.

While raising her children, Myra entered Towson State where she earned her B.A. in Mass Communications, and in her 50's, enrolled in St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing earning her R.N. and then continued her quest for knowledge by obtaining a master's degree from Loyola.  Over the course of the next ten years, Myra worked at Sinai Hospital, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital, eventually retiring in her late 60's.

Myra is survived by her five children: Christine Swanson, Michael Welsh (Eileen), Theresa Welsh, James Welsh (Mary), Robert Welsh (Jenny); 13 grandchildren: Jessica Thurmon (Jamie), Bryan Swanson (Erica), Sarah Swanson (Mitchell), Sean Welsh, Kyle Welsh, Paul Welsh (Jenna), David Welsh, Maura Pierce (Justin), Joshua Welsh (Tara), Justin Welsh, Ryan Welsh (Allie), Sara Bardzik (Tim), Rachel Reinke (Justin), and 15 great-grandchildren.

Those who ever spent time with Myra, knew they were in the presence of a loving and caring, Christian soul.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital