Sylvia Mary Balash Welch of Winnie, Texas, was entrusted to God’s loving care on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.  She was born January 8, 1931, in Kingston, New York, to Agnes and Andrew Balash. 

Sylvia grew up along the Hudson River among the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.   Her adventurous spirit led her to travel throughout the United States working at various resorts.  In Tucson, Arizona, she met the love of her life, Kenneth, and together they returned to his home state of Louisiana. They made their home in Maplewood, Louisiana, and raised two daughters, Kathy and Lisa. 

Sylvia was Dr. Roy Sasser’s office manager for twenty-three years and a member of Maplewood First Baptist Church. She prided herself on learning the art of southern cooking and even more so the joy of sharing. Her tins of Christmas treats were highly anticipated and enjoyed by family and friends. Following her husband’s death, Sylvia moved to Winnie, Texas, to be a part of her grandson’s life. There, she was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, the Young at Heart committee and a Pink Lady at Winnie Community Hospital.    

Sylvia is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Kathy) Welch and her husband, Keith M. Rising, of Westlake, Louisiana and Lisa Hughes; and grandson, Ethan Hughes of Winnie;  sister-in-laws, Katherine Marshall of Tampa, Florida and Sue Balash of Kingston, New York; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth P. (KP) Welch; brothers, Francis and Andrew; and sister, Pearl. 

A gathering of Mrs. Welch’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 12, 2015, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, in Winnie, Texas.

Additional services for Mrs. Welch are as follows: there will be a gathering from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 13, 2015, Hixon-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home, 2051 East Napoleon Street, Sulphur, Louisiana. There will be an additional gathering of her family and friends beginning at 8:30 a.m., with her funeral service to follow at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2015, at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home, Sulphur, with Deacon Bud Wagner officiating. Her interment will follow at Mimosa Pines South Cemetery, Carlyss, Louisiana. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  You are invited to leave fond memories or kind words of comfort may also be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.