With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of the beloved Mary Louise Welsh, 89, of Louisville, KY. She was born November 12, 1936 to the late Mary and John Franklin.
 

Also lovingly known as “Nana,” she was a regular face at the Southeast YMCA, where she would gladly give you a hug and a smile. In her own words “the Y is a good place to come if you want to make friends, you want to enjoy yourself, you want to feel like you belong somewhere.” We are grateful that the YMCA gave her a place to belong!

In her lifetime, she gave her love freely. She was a mother to not just her children, but every child she met (and many animals, too!) She was a caregiver and helped us each raise our own children. She was defined by her devotion to family and loved us unconditionally. We are grateful that her door, and her kitchen, were always open, even to the mailman. She is well known for her endless supply of Christmas cookies. She fed our mouths with food and our hearts with love.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Welsh; son, Lee Howard; and brothers, William Franklin and John Franklin.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Susan O’Connell (Tom), John Howard (Leatha), Mary Tichenor (Vince), Kathy Dreher (Warren), William Howard; daughter-in-law, Debbie; and daughter-in-love, Sandy Kohler (Gary); her grandchildren, Jason Howard (Mariana), Thomas Howard, Johna Howard (Randy), Callie French (Joel), Kim Davis (Wade), Josh Tichenor (Stephanie), Christina Howard (Ryan), Tara Carter (Kraig); grands-in-love, Gary, Alex, and Chelsey; great-grandchildren, Jeremiah (Cayla), Taylor (Apollo), Jacob, Anthony, Jaylee, Jenna, Jaxcyn, Raegan, Savannah (Mark), Emma, Skylar, Jacob, Amelia and Kellen; great-great grandchildren Caylie, Camden, Cambrie, and Wesley; and dear friends, Mr. Vince, Mr. Nardie, and Bay.

A Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 11 AM – 1:30 PM at the Legacy Funeral Center – Nunnelley Chapel at 4327 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville, Kentucky 40215 with a Funeral Service at 1:30 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery at 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40213.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://cjdfoundation.org/donate/, https://www.ymcalouisville.org/donate, or https://www.kyhumane.org/ways-to-give/in-honor-of-a-loved-one/

Nana will be deeply missed by all who loved her and her memory will live on in the hearts of those she touched.