Welsh celebrates 100th birthday

Margaret Bourgeois Welsh, a native of Victoria Harbour, Ontario, Canada, will celebrate her 100th birthday today, August 14. Currently, she is a resident of Heritage Manor Nursing Home here in Ville Platte. She was born August 14, 1914, to Ed and Liza Blondon Bourgeois in Canada, where her father managed a resort on Victoria Harbour. She was one of nine children, with three brothers and five sisters. Along with her siblings, she grew up dancing, fishing, swimming and ice skating on the harbor.
As a young adult, Welsh moved with her sister and brother-in-law to Detroit, Michigan. While living there, she met her future husband, William Welsh, who was a police officer. They lived in Detroit for 25 years before moving to California to be near their son, Marvin Roy Welsh, his wife, Patty, and their two children, Brenda and Scott. They later lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for three years, Salt Lake City, Utah, for 10 years and Denver, Colorado, for 10 years before eventually settling in Louisiana several years ago.
The Welshes were married for 46 years until William’s death and she now resides at Heritage Manor. Margaret says her son is very good to her, as was her husband. Marvin visits her frequently to check in with her and he continues to take good care of his mother since his father passed away 37 years ago.
As a resident of Heritage Manor, Welsh enjoys many activities and visiting with her fellow residents at the facility. She has one sister remaining, Genevieve Bourgeois Dumais, who is 90 years old and still resides in Canada.