Obituary of Ian Welsh

It is with much sorrow that we announce the passing of Ian Welsh, long-time resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the age of 78 years. 

Ian went home, trusting in God and filled with gratitude. His very last words were a request, no, a command, to me, Sheila, his wife: “Tell them how grateful I am.” He repeated these six words three times, starting with a soft voice and by the third time, he spoke them loudly, with all the breath he had in him. Who am I to tell? All the people who touched Ian’s life.

You will probably be the same people who met Ian and were touched by his life, I know because I, myself, was one of these people.

I asked my good friend, Judy Boyer, another one of these people, to write the following poem to help broadcast Ian’s request:

Tell Them

From the very first breath I drew on this earth

My life has been touched by God’s gracious hand.

The people He sent enriched my life so,

Tell them how grateful I am.

From a tiny wee babe in my dear mother’s arms

To a toddler, a child, a boy, then a man.

I’ve been carried along by the people of God.

Tell them how grateful I am.

The people who shared in my journey through life,

There for a moment or through my life span;

My family, career, my friends old and new

Tell them how grateful I am.

A Celebration of Life for Ian was held at the St James Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 1:00pm. Pastor Megan Polowski officiated. For those unable to attend in person, a live streaming of the service will be available on our website.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ian to Young Life Canada, 120-9440-202nd St, Langley, BC, V1M 4A6 or the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation, 11100 - 13 Street, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 3W8

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium