|
|
|||
|
|
|
LOIS WALTON TOWNSEND Lois Walton Townsend, 90, died Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Haven Hospice in Palatka, following a short illness. She was born Lois Ann Walton on September 25, 1918, the youngest of four children of the late Judge Vertrees Walton and Sophie Howard Walton, at their family home in Palatka, nicknamed long ago, and still known affectionately by family and friends, as the “Brown House.” She was the last survivor of her sisters: Sophie Walton Gibson, Kate Walton Engelken and Mary Walton Glisson. She married the love of her life, William L. (“Bill”) Townsend, on February 10, 1941. They were married for 62 years until his death on April 11, 2003, and at her death they were still married in her heart. She is survived by seven children and their spouses: William L. Townsend, Jr. and Judith Pate Townsend; James H. Townsend and Mary McDonnell Townsend; John Norfleet Townsend and Kathleen Lynch Townsend; Sophie Townsend Ducote and James E. Ducote; Charles Clayton Townsend and Sue Mueller Townsend; Thomas Duncan Townsend and Denise McLaughlin Townsend; Lois Ann Townsend Williams and George E. Williams; fourteen Grandchildren and ten Great-Grandchildren. She deeply loved all of them and was greatly loved in return. Lois was a convert to Catholicism, her husband’s faith, and became a longtime and active member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Palatka. Among her many activities in that role, she was a member of the St. Monica Altar Society and served as its president on multiple occasions over the years. Lois was also one of the originators of the RCIA program at St. Monica's and loved to identify younger members of the church in conversation by saying "they were in one of my classes." In the sixties and early seventies she taught at St. Monica's Catholic School while it was based in Palatka. She also taught CCD to First Communicants for many years. A major part of her Christian life was visiting the lonely, sick and needy in company with other ladies from the church. She was always grateful to those gracious women for their example and encouragement in following that mission. Most recently, Lois enthusiastically assisted in the church’s “Renew Program,” and deeply enjoyed the discussions and the interactions with her fellow parishioners that it generated. In recent months failing health limited her church activities, but she continued to attend Mass with the aid of her hot pink walker into the last week of her life. In addition to her church family, Lois’ life was enriched by wonderful friends, some lifelong ones who preceded her in death, some from her childhood days who are still living and many cherished new ones she met along her way in later years. Her thoughts, memories, love and gratitude followed them all to the end. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, July 12, 2009 with Father Ignatius Plathanam, CMI officiating. All are welcome. The Mass will be followed by a gathering of family and friends at Lois’ family home, 605 North Third Street, Palatka In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Lois Townsend’s name to St. Monica Catholic Church, 114 South 4th Street, Palatka FL 32177, Phone (386) 325-9177; Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279 Baltimore, MD 21203-7279, Phone (800)-683-5555; or Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center, 6400 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka FL 32177, Phone (386)328-7100.
|
|
|
Sign the Guest Book Notice! It might take up to 6 hours for your guest book comments to be updated on the website. If you are having problems signing the guestbook, please email your comments to obits@creekmediagroup.com with the persons name in the subject line. Thank You. I was saddened to learn of your sorrow, Mrs. Townsend was a grand person and she will be sadly missed. Margaret Ellington ~ Palatka, Fl
Tom and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. My Mom has so many fun stories about playing Tennis with your Mom. She was one of a kind for sure! Please call me if there is anything I can do for you. Jen Jennifer Wilkes ~ Johns Island, SC
Sorry to here about your loss, my thoughts are with your family.Diana Chesser. Diana Chesser ~ Altoona,Fl
To all the family, do know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I met lois back in 1986-87 when she moved her cousin Blair Hathaway into Heritage Park.(now Kiva). Lois was a very special lady. Always friendly. I still have a letter of recondmedation she wrote for me when i left heritage park. I did not request it, but she wrote it, and it was a beautiful letter. I saw her over the yrs. when she came to Putnam Hosp. with the church ladies to visit, and she was also my pt. when she had the "frost bite" on her hands. Lois was an amazing woman, who touch many lives,including mine, and i know that she will never be forgotten. Agian, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with the family. Kathy Kathy Sullivan ~ palatka,fla
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.....you are in our prayers. Clint & Mary Thomas ~ 2017 Crill Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177
Your Mother was a fine Christian lady and will be missed. Susan & Jim McCool ~ Palatka Fl
Prayers and love to all the Townsends at the passing of this remarkable woman. John Hewett ~ Charlotte, NC
To the family & friends of Lois. Please accept my heartfelt sorrow at the passing of Lois, my dearest friend & spiritual mother. Although she was blessed with a large and loving family Lois took me into her heart when I was a young, naive, 19 yr old girl. She nurtured and loved me for the 17 yrs I spent in Palatka and we have stayed closed in spirit & heart for the last 35 yrs. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful mother & friend. Although I am now living many thousands of miles away in Australia, I am so grateful for the loving years Lois & I shared. I know that I am a much better & wiser person for having her in my life & heart for all these years and that she is in heaven watching over all the people she loves. I love you dearly Lois, Marlene. Marlene Kuhn-Sistrunk ~ Perth Australia
Your
mother was a great example of love and kindness. She will be missed.
Darlene Laibl-Crowe & sons, Joey Laibl& Phil Crowe ~ palatka, FL
OUR PRAYS ARE WITH THE FAMILY'S LIBBY AND STEVE ADAMS ~ PALATKA,FL
To Sophie and all her family, Elisabeth and Robert Virnstein ~ East Palatka, FL
To the Townsend family, Chip Laibl ~ Palatka fl.
What a beautiful lady! She will be missed greatly. My heartfelt prayers go out to all of the family. Becky Padgett Dunning ~ Palatka, Florida
Prayers for the entire family-may God bless you and heal your broken hearts. Lene' Bullock Haney ~ St. Augustine, FL
Lois was a lighthouse to many of us. She was always the easiest person to talk to and I had many , many enjoyable conversations at the brown house. We talked of the old days, and the present times, and I will miss that. Lois was from a time when people were built and earned respect, they didn't just show up and expect everything. She was a mentor, a teacher and my friend. She raised honorable children to carry on her legacy. I will see her, every time I see one of them. I will miss her, but think of her often and smile. Brian Keith ~ Palatka, Florida
To Lois Ann & The Townsend Family Fay W. Hagans ~ Fayetteville, NC
To Duncan, Mrs. Ducote and the Townsend Family... may God bless you all in this time. Charlie Matthews ~ Palatka, FL
|
|||
