MARIE WELCH - IRISH PERSON OF THE YEAR 2007

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Irish American Society for selecting me Irish Person of the Year 2007. Since joining the I.A.S. in 1986, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with a wonderful group of people. When Lula Maye Walsh called my name at the IAS Christmas Party last December, I could not believe it. Being selected a member to this special group is an honor I will always treasure.

I was born and raised in Dublin Ireland, the fifth of eight children, to Mary and Edward Molloy. I have nothing but fond memories of my young life in Dublin! I vividly remember our family home, the taste of the fish and chips at the Lido, the fun my siblings and I had running and chasing boats on the River Liffey, my mum and I shopping together at Cleary’s on O’Connell Street across from G.P.O. When looking back, I do have to say, that one of my fondest memories would be those of our trips to Sandy Mount, I remember the fun we had digging and picking for cockles and winkles.

In 1962, I came to the United States to visit my sister in Bakersfield California. Shortly after arriving I met Richard on Easter Sunday of the same year. Richard and I married in November of 1962 and were blessed with one daughter, Jackie, and have been doubly blessed with our grandchildren Robert, 13, and Kelsey, 16, whom we love dearly and cherish.

In the Bi-Centennial year, 1976, I went to school and became an American Citizen, another honor of which I am very proud.

In 1985, Richard, who was working for ARCO Oil & Gas, was transferred to Dallas. I will never forget waking up in the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Dallas on a Sunday morning and not seeing a sole. We left the hotel to meet the real estate agent, only to find out there was a Blue Law and no shops were open. At the restaurant, while waiting for the agent, I began to cry and wanted to go back to Bakersfield. I told Richard he had 1 year, then we would return to Bakersfield. We bought our home in Richardson, and that 1-year turned into 22.

I joined the Newcomers Club of Dallas, where I meet Mike and Mary McGoldrick. Mike and Mary introduced me to the Irish American Society. Since becoming a member of the I.A.S., I have had the pleasure of working on many of the committees, Irish Person of the Year Luncheon, Picnics, Historian, Newsletter, Talent Show, North Texas Irish Festival, St Patrick’s Day Ball and Parade, Texas Rose of Tralee, Pub Nights and the honor of co-president with Richard in 1997-1998.

In 1991, Richard’s job took him to Jakarta, Indonesia, where surprisingly, there was an Irish organization, “The Saint Patrick’s Society”, which we joined. At the St Patrick’s Day Ball, (guess what), I won the raffle - a piece of furniture, which we still have. Then Richard took a job in Venezuela. We couldn’t find an Irish club, so we joined the International Club and found a few Irish, with whom we still keep in touch.

Our interest and involvement in the Irish American Society has rubbed off on Jackie as well. She has chaired the Texas Rose of Tralee Committee since 2005, of which we are very proud. We look forward to another trip to the Kerry Festival in Tralee with her and others in the group.

Being a member of the Irish American Society, my family and I have made so many wonderful friends. One might say, “it was the I.A.S that kept us here’. I am very honored to be Irish Person of the Year and will wear the sash proudly this coming year.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank all you for this honor,

Marie