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YOUNGSTOWN - Linda Joan Welsh (Modarelli), 72, of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024. Linda was born on July 12, 1952, the eldest of the eight children born to Joseph and Patricia Modarelli (Shon). Linda grew up on Youngstown's west side and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1970. 

An accomplished dancer, Linda competed on the Youngstown State University gymnastics team, after which she performed with the Western Reserve Ballet Company, and then taught countless children to dance at the Pat Modarelli Dance Studio, as well as her own dance studio in Crown Point, IN.

Linda's occupational calling was as a nurse, a career very suited to her sense of compassion. Her work began at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, then at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, IN, and finally as a home care and hospice nurse for MVI in Youngstown.

Family was everything to Linda and she spent her days joyously caring for her loved ones. She exuded warmth as she opened her home for countless family gatherings full of laughter. She did all of this with a spirit and smile that inspired and lifted everyone in her presence.

As the years passed, the hurdles presented by her countless medical and physical ailments became more frequent, throughout which her positivity and determination never wavered. In these later years, Linda remained unrelentingly optimistic and focused on caring for her own family, foremost her grandchildren, whom she loved and cherished enough for ten lifetimes.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Patricia, and her brother, Bobby Modarelli. She is survived by her husband of fifty years, Thomas James Welsh of Liberty, their three sons, Patrick (Sara) of Carroll, Timothy (Melissa) of Hilliard, and Daniel (Jocelyn) of Fort Wayne, IN; eight grandchildren, Samuel, Lucy, Thomas, Seamus, Erin, Archie, Joseph, and Liam; and six siblings, Joe Modarelli (April), Trisha Swanson (Ken), Jean Stelter (Gary), Shon Modarelli (Ann Marie), Michael Modarelli (Patty), and Dan Modarelli (Stacey), and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours at St. Edward Catholic Church, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown, OH, 44504, on Sunday, November 24th, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. A funeral mass will be held in her honor at St. Edward Catholic Church on Monday, November 25th, at 10:00am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Ursuline High School Theatre Department.

This obituary can be shared and condolences sent to the family by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com 

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THE MESSAGE AND PHOTO BELOW WERE ON FACEBOOK

Our mother Linda Modarelli Welsh passed away last night. After a courageous lengthy battle she is finally at peace. She was the matriarch of our family and was the glue that kept everything and everyone together. She was the most loving wife, mother, grandmother, big sister, aunt, cousin, and friend and we are all better off because of her. She never thought of herself and always made sure those around her were taken care of. Even in her declining years she cont:inued to make sure the people in her life were OK. Although she hasn't been able to walk in many years we would like to think she danced into heaven into the embrace of God's arms. As we cope with her loss during the next few days we welcome any story or memory you have that exemplifies the beautiful person that she was. If you knew my mom then you loved my mom and be assured she loved you too.

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I was looking at the UHS Annual Report and found that we were tied for 8th place in the number of classmates donating to the Annual Appeal (25 donors).  Our $5,790.00 ranked us 11th in dollars donated. Not bad considering that there were 81 classes that donated this year.

An update to the UHS Class of '70 scholarship. 

This is the first fund created in the name of a graduating class and has been copied by many other classes. The fund is up to $32,330.09. You can view the Class of 70 Scholarship tab to the left for more information on the scholarship origins and how it is dispersed.

If you are interested in the football team.

They finished the regular season at 9-1 and #1 in Division III, Region 9. Their only loss was their first game against Walsh Jesuit 37-35.  Walsh is the top ranked team in Division II.  UHS won their first two playoff games easily and came from behind in the 4th qtr to beat 11-1 Aurora 29-10.  They meet Gates Mills Gilmore Acadamy (12-1) this weekend.

A win this week will place them in the final four teams in Division III.

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55th YEAR CLASS REUNION

We will again take advantage of the beautiful Grand Pavilion at Avalon Resorts in Warren, Ohio to celebrate our upcoming reunion.

It will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

More details to come in 2024 !!

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