RuthAnna T. Welch was born in 1939 on a small chicken farm in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she was raised alongside her brother David by their parents, Kent and Florence Welch. She passed away on December 21st, 2024.

She is survived by her son, Joseph Welch; her grandchildren, Beorn Welch and Zina Florence Welch; and her devoted partner, Paul Thompson. She is also survived by two nieces, a nephew, several great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces. Her niece Sabrina Arguello, great-nephew Essam Welch, and great-great-niece Zaylee — who traveled from Colorado — are among the family present to honor her today. And you, her dear friends, are part of that circle too. She is also survived by her legacy of music.

In high school, RuthAnna played the lead role in The Wizard of Oz. The character of Dorothy resonated deeply with her — a girl from a little farm dreaming of what lay over the rainbow.

She graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and spent her life immersed in music — performing, composing, teaching, and sharing her love for the art with others.

A member of the first generation of Peace Corps volunteers, RuthAnna served in Liberia, where she once performed for President Tubman. Later, she crossed paths with a young, unknown Paul Simon in London, and eventually became vocalist and guitarist for the world music band Nava Rasa.

She taught in schools, served as an organist in several churches, played music on street corners, and gave private lessons. She brought her music to the mighty and the low alike — without pretension, but with purpose.

In the 1970s, she was part of the fight for First Amendment rights for musicians to perform in public spaces in Boston. Arrested multiple times — often under the charge of "illicit solicitation" — the State sought to shame her. It never worked. Her fierce spirit demanded a freedom that could not be quelled by tyranny.

In her later years, she performed with the ensemble Tunefoolery, where she met her partner Paul Thompson, who remained by her side through her final days.

And so, we say goodbye to RuthAnna T. Welch. This Solstice, she passed over that Rainbow, leaving us with the memory of a truly magical spirit.