Helen Frances Hale Welton, age 89, of Bethesda, MD, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on March 30, 1935, in Washington, DC, she was a daughter of the late Roger Hale and Ethel D. Bewley Hale. Her husband, Richard Sloan Welton preceded her in death in November 2001.
She was a graduate of both Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and the University of Maryland, where she earned a degree in Home Economics in 1957. After graduating from Maryland, she worked for the Department of Agriculture where she met her husband, Richard Welton, who worked with the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS). Together they raised three children. As a diplomat’s wife, she and her family traveled the globe and lived in Argentina, El Salvador, Spain, and Mexico. She enjoyed playing the piano and playing bridge with her bridge groups.
Helen is survived by her children, John Welton, Linda Berry (Farris), and George Welton (Liz), and her 10 grandchildren: Andrew Berry, Nathan Berry (Sabrina), Sarah Berry, Stephen Berry, Matthew Berry, Rebecca Welton, Christine Welton, John Michael Berry, Elijah Berry, and Joy Berry.
A visitation will be held at North Bethesda United Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 on Friday, March 14 at 9:00 a.m. with the Memorial Service following at 10:00 a.m. An additional Memorial Service will be held in Moorefield, WV at Fraley Funeral Home on Saturday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. with a graveside service following at Olivet Cemetery.
To offer condolences, share memories, or upload photos in honor of Helen’s extraordinary life, visit her Tribute Wall at www.fraleyfuneralhome.com and celebrate the impact she made on all those around her.
