Terre-Joan Mcallister Gayton Welch

Terre Joan Gayton Welch, 89, of Albany, died peacefully and surrounded by family, at St. Peter's Hospice Inn on Monday, September 11, 2017. Born July 9, 1928, Terre Joan was raised in Manhasset, Long Island, and spent summers on the family estate at Belle Terre on Port Jefferson Harbor, Long Island. Terre Joan was the daughter of the late Eileen McAllister Gayton and Claude Victor Gayton. She was predeceased by her younger sister Carlo Touhey and by her loving husband of 62 years, Donald E. Welch, who died in 2015.

Terre Joan, or T.J., as she was affectionately known, studied art at Stetson College in Deland, Florida. As a young woman, she taught dance at Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Terre Joan took great pride in her McAllister and Gayton heritage, researching and enjoying stories, photographs and memorabilia. She celebrated her 89th birthday in July with her son and daughter on a Rhine river cruise. Terre Joan was the quintessential homemaker; her greatest joy was her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her seven children: Donald Welch (Diane) of Latham, Bryan Welch (Beverly Bard) of West Palm Beach, FL, Maria LaGrassa (Roger) of Daytona Beach, FL, Victor Welch (Barbara) of Wynantskill, Steven Welch (Melanie) of Slingerlands, Kyle Welch of Sunnyvale, CA and her youngest daughter and caregiver, Tara Welch, of Albany. T.J. is also survived by eight grandchildren: Christopher, Rebecca, Kevin, Dylan and Hannah Welch, Rachel Pracher (Stephen), Meghan O'Dougherty (Ryan) and Melissa Mahoney (Joseph), six great-grandchildren: Tyler Welch, Hadley and Sawyer Pracher, Lucy and Declan Mahoney and Hudson O'Dougherty, and by many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family, followed by interment at the Gerald. B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.