Kathleen Frances Welch died April 26 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

She was the daughter of Beatrice E. Ward Welch and the late David L. Welch Sr., and sister of Beatrice D’Angelo of Hull, Diane Gibson of Sacramento, Calif., and the late David L. Welch Jr.

Kathy was the aunt of Lisa-Joy Buckley, Mark Kristopher Brooke, Benjamin Gibson and Christopher Gibson, and great-aunt of Michael, Kellie-Joy and Kendra-Joy Buckley, Anthony Gibson, Christopher Burdett, Faith Gibson and BenjaminGibson. 

Kathy was born on August 18, 1950 in Oak Bluffs. She graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1968 and Burdett Business College in 1970. She lived in Boston, working at the John Hancock Insurance Company. Dueto the development of multiple sclerosis, she was forced into an early retirement at a young age. Kathy relocated to the Cape to assist with caring for her grandmother, aunt and uncle. After her brother David died in 2004, she moved home to the Island to care for her parents. Upon her father’s death last year, she became the solecaretaker of hermother. 

Her knowledge of the entertainment and music industry was widespread and she kept herparents entertainedwith a wide variety of new and old movies. Her hobbiesincluded reading,especially the mystery series that were based on the Island, and shared this passion with her sisters. She had a generous and giv ing heart, wonderful sense of humor and continued to always be the family humorist despite her health limitations. Kathy, our angel, will be deeply missed.

A funeral home service was held Thursday with the Rev. Roger Spinney officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven. Donations in her memory may be made to Tisbury Senior Center, P.O. Box 1239, Vineyard Haven MA 02568 or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First avenue, Suite 6, Waltham MA 02451.