Welch (Mary Ellen) is born in Boston.

The daughter of John and Mary (Stafford) Welch, Mary Ellen Welch grows up across the street from her subsequent longtime home at 225 Webster Street, and graduates from Emmanuel College and Boston State College. She becomes a second grade teacher in 1965, the last 45 years of her career at the Hugh Roe O’Donnell School. Welch also becomes involved in local campaigns against Logan Airport expansion and for affordable housing, open space, and better schools. Gov. Michael Dukakis later says of her, “She was a community activist with a capital C and a capital A – relentless and tenacious.” Welch dies at her home in East Boston on March 7, 2019.