Anne Corpening Welsh

Welsh—Anne Corpening Welsh, 89, on September 17, 2024, surrounded by family and friends in Asheville, N.C. Anne was born on June 19, 1935, in Valdosta, Ga., to Frances and William Corpening. She was raised Methodist in a country setting in Union Grove, located in the foothills of western North Carolina. Anne won a scholarship to Duke University. While at Duke, she was drawn to worship with Durham (N.C.) Meeting.

During the summer of her junior year, Anne worked at Chautauqua Institution in western New York, where she met Norman Morrison. After both graduated in 1957, they married and spent their first year in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Norman was studying for the ministry. They attended Edinburgh Meeting, growing together as Friends. Returning home, they had two children, Ben and Christina.

Anne and Norman engaged in peace and civil rights work. They established a Friends meeting in Charlotte. In 1962, they moved to Baltimore, Md., where they had a third child, Emily. Norman served as executive secretary of Stony Run Meeting. He was deeply concerned about the increasing Vietnam War casualties, and by the suffering of women and children. In early November 1965, Norman immolated himself at the Pentagon to protest the Vietnam War.

On that night, despite her shock and grief, Anne explained Norman’s action simply and eloquently to the press. An international outpouring of appreciation followed. Anne carried the weight of Norman’s sacrifice with strength, humility, and grace. She gave many talks and interviews, wrote articles, a Pendle Hill pamphlet (Fire of the Heart, 2005), and a book (Held in the Light, 2008).

The following year Anne married a close friend, Bill Beidler, and returned to Charlotte. The family moved to Greensboro, N.C., in 1970, where Anne helped establish Friendship Meeting at Guilford College.

In 1971, Anne’s son Ben was diagnosed with bone cancer. His death in 1975 at age 16 was likely the deepest sorrow of her life.

After Anne and Bill’s marriage ended, Anne married Bob Welsh in 1975. She lovingly welcomed Bob’s sons, David and Jonathan, into their fold. Anne completed her master’s at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and worked for the YWCA and American Friends Service Committee. She and Bob helped establish New Garden Friends School in Greensboro.

In 1979, Anne and Bob moved to rural Yancey County, near Celo (N.C.) Meeting. The family built a rustic cabin on forested land with a natural spring—a healing refuge that Anne cherished. Anne directed a group home for developmentally disabled adults. She wrote a column for The Yancey Journal, sharing her love of nature, family, and regional culture.

In 1999, Anne and her family were invited to Vietnam. As Norman is revered there to this day, the family was honored at many events, including the establishment of a peace park near Hanoi. Anne was deeply moved by the forgiveness and generosity of the Vietnamese people. This challenging yet powerful journey was healing for her and many others.

In their retirement years, Anne and Bob lived in Black Mountain, N.C., and helped establish Swannanoa Valley Meeting. Daughter Emily lived nearby. Anne took great joy in helping to raise her two grandsons. She wrote human interest articles for Black Mountain News.

Despite her great losses, Anne had deep love and reverence for life and unshakeable faith in God and the goodness of humanity. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and a caring friend. She was a devoted sister to her much younger brother, Bill, a differently abled man whom she cared for after their father’s death.

All who knew Anne were drawn to her effervescent smile and were warmly welcomed by her open, kind, authentic nature.

Anne is survived by her husband, Bob Welsh; two children, Christina and Emily; two stepchildren, David and Jonathan; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one nephew.