Deborah Welsh Coulson, born Dec. 12, 1936, in Boston, daughter of Doris H. and Willard C. Welsh of Marblehead, died Dec. 9, 2022, in the compassionate care of Kaplan Family Hospice House.
Deb/Debbie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Eric and Betty James, Kurt and Sabin James, and Lisa and Steve Wolf; her sister, Cathy Welsh and wife Linda Serafini; her brother, Willard H. Welsh; two nieces, a nephew, eight grandchildren, two grand-nieces and a grand-nephew, and three great-grandchildren.
Debbie graduated from the University of Kansas and remained a loyal “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” fan, though her roots and most of her life were spent in Marblehead. She was active in social services while raising her young family in Baltimore.
She was predeceased by her first husband and father of her children, William James, and predeceased by her soulmate, traveling partner and second husband, Charles Coulson.
A lifelong activist, explorer and free-spirit, Debbie was a beloved member of Marblehead UU church, and cherished for her storytelling, her earnest concern for others, and her dauntless search for the next adventure.
She and Charlie traveled across the U.S. in their treasured camper and around Europe, Russia, India and Japan. They enjoyed meeting and connecting with people everywhere they went.
A spring memorial service will be held at the UU church—details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider a donation to Lifebridge in Salem or Kaplan House in Danvers.
