Arlene Welch ... E. Rochester School principal; at 90

ROCHESTER - Arlene Parent Welch, 90, died peacefully at Carriage Hill Assisted Living in Madbury. She was the wife of her Spaulding High School sweetheart, Richard "Dick" Welch for 44 years. Arlene was born in Hamlin, Maine, on March 29, 1933. After losing the family farm in the depression, the Parent family moved several times and settled in Gonic in 1938. Arlene attended St. Leo's School, Spaulding High School Class of 1951, and Plymouth Teachers College Class of 1955.

Education was a priority in her life and Arlene had a 30 year career in teaching and as a principal at the old and new East Rochester Schools. Highlights were the "People Make Walls" and the "Open Schools Movement" of the '70s and '80s. She also loved painting, arts and crafts, and spending time at Wentworth Lake, Wells Beach, and in California. She spent countless hours with her grandchildren at Wells Beach painting rocks and shells, going for walks and raking the sand.

Arlene leaves behind two daughters, Susan Welch of Freeport, Maine, and Judy (Paul) Whitehurst of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.; Five grandchildren Kerry (Ed) Bernard, Michael Blenk, Richard Blenk, Kathryn Blenk and Brandon Whitehurst; one great-grandchild Lora Bernard; sister Clare Sherlock; cousin Earl (Traude) Parent; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents David and Yvonne (Violette) Parent, husband Dick Welch, brothers David, James and Elmer Parent, and sister Joan Nadeau.