Nancy Welfer

NANCY WELFER

Nancy passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. She was born in Pittsburgh on July 13, 1920, and celebrated her 105th birthday last month.  She certainly lived a very long and very rewarding life.  Nancy was the youngest child of Frank Martin Welfer and Bertha Harrison Welfer who lived in Greenfield, PA.  She was predeceased by her two brothers and two sisters: Frank Harrison Welfer (Margret Long/Linda McCrady), Thomas Welfer (Gertrude Garnet Myers), Helen Welfer Burkart (Pete Jay Burkhart), and Mary Eva Welfer Moore (John Hays Moore). 

Nancy graduated from Peabody High School in 1936 and entered the University of Pittsburgh at the age of 16.   She wrote for the University’s student newspaper, the Pitt News, and earned her bachelor’s degree in English (BA 1940).  Her initial career was interrupted when she enlisted for active military service with the Navy during WWII (1943-1946) soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  Following her active duty, she continued to serve in the Naval Ready Reserves for twenty years (1946-1968), retiring as Lieutenant Commander.

Using the benefits of the G.I. Bill, Nancy completed her Law degree (JD 1949, University of Pittsburgh) and joined Mellon Bank as an attorney in the Trust Department. She retired in 1991 eventually serving as vice president of the Trust Department.  Upon request by Mellon Bank, she continued to work part-time for an additional 18 years.

Nancy served as President of the University of Pittsburgh General Alumni Association from 1965-66 and as secretary/treasurer of the University of Pittsburgh Law Alumni from 1953 to 1963.  She was a member of Zonta International providing leadership to this professional organization including President and Parliamentarian.

Nancy was dedicated to her church community. She served in various positions with the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Vice Chancellor and Parliamentarian) and Trinity Cathedral of Pittsburgh (Treasurer, Alter Guild and Lay Eucharist Minister)

When not serving her church and visiting her family, Nancy cared for her father for many years.  After his death, she found joy in traveling, both in the States and around the world, learning the cultures of new places, returning with wonderful stories and gifts for her friends, nieces and nephews. In recent years, she has been assisted by the kind staff and personnel at Lighthouse Point in O’Hara Township.  She recently resided at Seneca Place in Verona and was cared for and dearly loved by her friend Nina Capo, and all of Seneca’s caregivers.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Rd, Pgh, PA, 15237.

Funeral arrangements by Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home, Aspinwall.