Celine E. Welch Fish

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Celine E. Welch Fish, 104, of The Village at Waterman Lake in Greenville, RI on December 8, 2024.

She was the wife of the late Raymond J. Welch and the late Phillip V. Fish. She was the daughter of the late Rene and Marie Bourdeaud'hui and the sister of the late Eugene Bourdeaud'hui. She is survived by her daughter Celine Bell and her husband, Richard, and by her daughter Charlene Valk and her husband, Stephen. She leaves behind stepdaughter, Sharon Russo, and her husband, Dennis. She was the stepmother of the late Nancy Sinclair and her husband, Donald. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Richard Bell, Celine Ferro and her husband, Colin Ryan, Christian Ferro and his wife, Jane, and Samuel Valk and his partner, Evan Butler. She will be greatly missed by her niece, Christine Bourdeau, and her nephew, Stephen Benjamin, and his wife, Karen.

Born in Woonsocket, RI on June 24, 1920, she was a lifelong resident of Smithfield, RI and spent many winters in San Diego, CA.

A faithful member of Georgiaville Baptist Church throughout her lifetime, Celine served as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of The Half Circle, the Choir, the Flower Coordinator, and as a Prayer Shawl Ministry knitter. She had a deep and abiding faith in God and lived her life accordingly, praying for those in need.

Celine loved to travel and did so at every opportunity. She travelled extensively throughout The United States, the Caribbean, and Europe. She especially enjoyed attending Navy reunions for The USS Augusta, the flagship of the Atlantic Fleet, on which both of her husbands served in WWII.

She loved music and loved to dance, especially jitterbug. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, square and round dancing, and Appalachian Mountain clogging.

She took up golfing later in life. She, her husband, Ray, and their best friends, Vi and Frank, golfed at every opportunity that presented itself. They were known to golf well into the cold weather armed with thermoses of hot soup and coffee.

Celine was extremely creative and produced outstanding decorated cakes for all occasions. She was a talented seamstress making everything from dance costumes to wedding gowns. She made beautiful braided rugs and cut and pierced lampshades. An artist, she worked in watercolor. She had a flair for fashion, a true fashionista, whose jewelry and scarves always complemented her ensembles perfectly. She was an inspiration for all who strove "to grow old gracefully".

She enjoyed spending time around and on the water. She always looked forward to participating in the annual Slack's Reservoir 4th of July Boat Parade on board the family pontoon boat.

Above all, Celine loved spending time with her family. She was loving, compassionate, courageous, selfless, and a good listener. She was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Wanting to be remembered as she lived, and in accordance to her wishes, there will be no calling hours. Burial will be private.

Memorial gifts may be made to Georgiaville Baptist Church or to HopeHealth.