Mary (Peggy) M. Welsh, 88, of Junction City, Kansas, passed away on October 1, 2023, at Via Christi Nursing Home in Manhattan, Kansas. Cremation has taken place per family's request. A memorial service will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, Friday, October 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a committal service at Highland Cemetery.
Mary was born on June 12, 1935, to William and Helen (Flood) Collins in Junction City, Kansas. She attended Junction City High School, graduating in May of 1953. A few years after graduating, she opened "The Collins Personality School", teaching dance for three years. During this time, she married Gene Nelson and they welcomed their daughter, Peggy Jean. The family eventually relocated to Enid, Oklahoma where Peggy worked for Enid Memorial Hospital until 1976, at which time she moved back to Junction City, Kansas. She then married Jack Welsh and started "Peggy Welsh School of Dance", and teaching for many years after. After she stopped teaching dance, she worked for Gfellers Accounting, then the Geary County Treasure's office where she worked until retirement. Mary was initiated into the Eastern Star September of 1953 and was active in both Oklahoma and Kansas chapters. All together, she was a 70 year member.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Peggy Jean Hughes (Pat) of Stillwater, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Jessica Miller (Gary) of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Jeremy (J.D.) Long of Oklahoma City; one great-grandchild, Zane Miller of Stillwater, Oklahoma and her friend, Doyle Rippeto. Mary was preceded by her parents.