Norma "Joan" Welch, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away December 11th, 2014 at the age of 81.

Joan was born August 9 ^th, 1933 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to Robert and Rena Cook. While residing in Ponca City, she met and married the love of her life, Lloyd Welch in 1950. Lloyd and Joan raised their family and spent many years in Ponca City. Joan owned and operated "The You" clothing boutique with her daughter Monta for nearly 10 years. After selling the boutique, Joan began a career in Massage Therapy which continued for over 20 years. Massage came naturally for her and she helped many people with her therapeutic touch. She was a certified massage therapist who taught infant massage to parents to improve newborn health and bonding. Joan also volunteered in Oklahoma City at the Murrah bombing site, providing massage to victims and emergency responders.

After retiring, Joan and Lloyd travelled the country in their fifth wheel working with Laborers for Christ, vacationing with their granddaughters, and joining other retirees to winter in Texas. In 2002 they settled in Tulsa. Joan was active in Grace Lutheran Church working side by side with Lloyd, participating in many programs including Meals on Wheels. Her greatest joys were her husband, daughters, granddaughters and great grandchildren. She had an entrepreneurial spirit. Her favorite retirement project was her daughter's Tulsa business, The Garden Trug. She was a born salesperson and assumed the role of head cheerleader and promoter for The Trug. Joan was a "people person" who never met a stranger and always lit up a room. There was nothing that she would not do for her family, friends, or someone in need. Joan was beautiful, strong, fearless, continually affirming, and loved unconditionally. She will be deeply missed.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Gene and sister, Betty.

She is survived by her loving husband of more than 64 years, Lloyd; 3 daughters, Monta Welch of Columbia, MO, Teresa Mahan & husband Leonard of Bethany, OK, and Sue Welch and Partner, Marcy Smith of Tulsa, OK. She was also blessed to have 3 loving granddaughters, Sarah Katherine Stone, Olivia Rose Taylor and Jayme Lea Epple and her husband Matt; 3 great-grandchildren, Matthew, Sophia, and Brayden Epple; sister, Marilyn Kay Cook of Ponca City; numerous brother & sister – in laws and a host of other loving extended family.

A Memorial Celebration of Joan's life will be held at 11:00am, on Thursday, December 18 ^th, 2014 at Grace Lutheran Church located at 2331 East 5th Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Flowers may be sent directly to the church. If you choose, Joan would have loved memorial orders to be placed through "The Garden Trug", located in Tulsa (918-528-3828).