Maxine Welch

Paul Young Funeral Home is assisting the Family.

Obiturary via Paul Young Funeral Home

Miriam Maxine Welch née Buettin, 103, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on February 22, 2026. Born in 1922, Maxine was part of a family story marked by courage, perseverance, and deep roots. Her family history included immigration from Russia to the United States, and she grew up with an appreciation for hard work, resilience, and the importance of family values that would shape her throughout her life.

Maxine lived a life defined by warmth, resilience, and a deep love for family, friends, and community. She was devoted to those around her and had a gift for making people feel welcomed, remembered, and cared for. She carried herself with steady grace, strong when life required it, and joyful whenever she could be.

A longtime member of Groesbeck Church, Maxine faithfully attended for many years and helped create the kind of fellowship that turns a church into a true home. She was a founding member of the Primetimers, a beloved group that brought people together through friendship, laughter, service, and shared life. Her faith and church family were an important part of her life for many years.

Maxine also dedicated part of her life to education and service as a librarian for Northwest schools, where she was known for her caring presence and commitment to students and learning. She later retired from her work there.

Maxine also embraced life with energy and curiosity well into her later years. In her 50s, she took up tennis, which became a true passion. She was known for her determination, consistency, and competitive spirit, and she loved the camaraderie of the game as much as the play itself. She played regularly at the Queen City Racquet Club, represented the club in league play, and proudly proved that it is never too late to start something new. Her tennis journey brought recognition, including Senior Olympic doubles titles in 1995 and 1996, a testament to her grit and love of the sport.

She was also a loyal Cincinnati sports fan. It did not matter the sport, if it was on TV, she was watching. She cheered faithfully for the Reds, the Bengals, and the University of Cincinnati, and she loved following her hometown teams through every season.

Maxine was married to Everett James Welch, whom she wed on September 26, 1942. Their life together was rooted in commitment, family, and enduring love. Everett preceded her in death on January 27, 1995.

Later in life, Maxine shared a special companionship with her dear friend, Erwin L. “Bud” McKenney, whom she met in 2003. Together they shared a love of dancing and enjoyed many years of friendship and companionship until his passing in 2013.

Maxine’s greatest pride was her family. She treasured every generation and loved staying connected to the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family tree, full of familiar names, new generations, and cherished memories, was one of her life’s greatest joys, and she loved them “with all her heart.”

Maxine was preceded in death by her siblings, William (“Bill”) Buettin, Phyllis Ann Buettin, and Joe Buettin.

She is survived by her son, Everett (Oscar) Welch, and his wife, Mindy; their son, Steve, and his wife, Debbie, and their children, Melanie and Jeremy; and their daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Dave, and their children, Drake and Drew.

She is also survived by her son, Robin Welch, and his wife, Kristie; their son, John, and his wife, Rachel, and their children, Kylie and Wes; and their daughter, Ashley.

Her son, Kim Welch, also survives her. She also cherished the memory of his wife, Sarah, who preceded him in death, and Sarah’s sons, John, Joe, and Joshua.

She is further survived by her son, Kerry Pace Welch; his daughter, Summer, and her children, Jonas, Milo, and Adley; his daughter, Sadie, and her son, Everett; his daughter, Julie; his daughter, Esmerelda (“Esme”); his son, Pace, and his wife, Jamie, and their children, Wyatt and Eden; and his daughter, Gabriella, her husband Chris, and daughter, Remy.

Maxine will be remembered for her steady love, quiet strength, welcoming spirit, and the way she made family and community feel like the most important things in the world, because to her, they were.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Paul R. Young Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Groesbeck Church. Burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Gardens and will be private for family only.

In gratitude for the loving care Maxine received during her final days and the faith community she cherished, the family requests memorial donations be made to SON Ministries or Chaos for Teens at Groesbeck Church or Hospice of Cincinnati at www.hospiceofcincinnati.org.