Virginia (Welch) Brennan, 96, of South Dartmouth, died peacefully on January 18, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford after a brief illness.

She was the wife of the late Edmund J. Brennan. They were married for 74 years.

She was born in Taunton, the daughter of the late J. Francis Welch and Alice (Taylor) Welch. She resided in the Whittenton section of Taunton until 1984 when she moved to South Dartmouth. For many winters she resided in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in South Dartmouth.

Mrs. Brennan was a 1940 graduate of St. Mary's High School where she was a member of the Art Club, and president of the club during her senior year. Mrs. Brennan was an accomplished artist, crafter and excelled in all types of stitchery. For many years she took lessons to perfect her art. She was a perpetual art student. She loved living by the sea, the beach, birds, flowers and gardening. She was an active member for many years of the Women's Guild of the former Immaculate Conception Church in Taunton. Most important to Mrs. Brennan was her family. Her life revolved around her large family gatherings at her home in South Dartmouth. Her family was the center of her life.

She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth McDermott and her husband Tom; her daughter Lillian Carney and her husband Patrick; her son, Edmund and his wife Deborah; her son John and his wife Gloria; and her sons in law Walter J. Czerny and Richard N. Schanck.

Mrs. Brennan was the mother of the late Virginia M. Czerny and Mary B. Schanck. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren; Andrew B. and Suzanne M. Czerny, Thomas and Sean McDermott, Meghan Lash, Patrick Carney, Jr., Kathleen Larisa, Colleen, Michael and Edward Carney, Elizabeth "Beth" Schanck, Edmund J. Brennan, III, Michael S. Brennan, John T. Brennan, Jr. and Lillian J. Brennan and 17 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Francis B. Welch, Leo Welch, Edward C. Welch and Raymond Welch. The Brennan family would like to give special thanks to all of the care givers, and especially Olinda Maio, who took special care of her.

Her funeral will be January 23, 9 a.m. from Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Road. Burial will be in South Dartmouth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Sisters of the Holy Union of the Sacred Heart, 444 Center St., Milton, MA 02186. For online registration and directions, visit www.waring-sullivan.com.