Lois Christenne Welsh

Lois Christenne “Tina” Welsh of Lakeside, Arizona peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. She was 103 years old. Tina was born on May 15, 1917 in Needles, California, when Woodrow Wilson was President, to her parents the late, Louis C. and Mary (Mansker) Welsh.

Tina was raised on the Colorado River, where she enjoyed the outdoors and playing softball against teams from Kingman, Las Vegas and Barstow as a youngster. When World War II broke out Tina felt the need to serve her country, at a time when women weren’t allowed in the military, although a bill was being debated in Congress to start a separate corps for them. It wasn’t until July of 1942, when the president signed a bill creating the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps that Tina was allowed to answer that call. She was one of the first in the country to join, in fact number 48, the military as an enlisted woman.

Six short months later, seeing her potential for commanding troops, the army sent her to officer’s candidate school and so began her illustrious 20 year military career. She served in many leadership positions in the United States, France and Germany with hundreds of soldiers under her command. She retired from the military in 1962 at the rank of Major.

Following her time in the Army, Tina moved to Lakeside, Arizona where she resided until her passing. She was an avid reader of Time Magazine, National Geographic and many other publications. She loved to keep active by playing golf and was a member of the Pinetop Country Club for 47 years and the Pinetop Woman's Club. She also enjoyed playing bingo and cards. 

Major Welsh is survived by nieces, Christenne (Tina) Moon,  Brigid Krull, Mary Harrington; great-nieces, Brigid Bosnyak, Summer Christenne Moon, Mara Desimoni, Lilia Brown; great-nephews, Tai and Tao Harrington and William Bosnyak; great-great niece, Wild Moon Levine and great-great-nephew, William Bosnyak.

The viewing and visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at the Owens Livingston Mortuary~White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9^th Street, Show Low. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens, Show Low with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 11:00 A.M. The interment will follow at 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Riverview Cemetery, 1101 E. Broadway, Needles, California where she will be laid to rest with full Military Honors alongside her mother and her father.