Obituary of Mary Jane Townsend
Mrs. Mary J. Townsend, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who recently celebrated her 88th birthday, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sept. 26, 2018.
While attending high school, Mary began working in her grandparent’s Columbus Street store, Bissi’s Grocery. Soon after, she met the love of her life, Carl R. Townsend Sr. They were blessed with celebrating 45 years of marriage until his death in 1994.
Working as a team, Mary and Carl opened their home to anyone who needed advice or a home cooked meal. Their weekly get-togethers with friends and neighbors were well-known throughout the neighborhood.
Mary was proud of her Italian heritage; she was a consummate cook and baker known for her Italian cookies and meals, such as her chocolate whiskey cookies, cannoli’s, and pepperoni sauce. She loved entertaining her friends, going to the Policeman’s Balls, dancing with her beloved Carl to their song “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael, and being a full-time mother to her family and loved ones. Mary’s baby blue eyes, curly hair, dimples, style, wit, strength, strong Catholic faith, and bubbly personality were her trademark. Her kindness and generosity quickly left an imprint on the hearts of all those she met and cared for. She shared her love of music with her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are six children: daughters and caretakers, Dr. Linda Ann Townsend, Cindy E. Townsend, and Darlene M. (Rick) Nila; sons, Steve L. (Jeanne) Townsend, Carl R. Townsend, and David M. Townsend; grandchildren, Joseph Carl Townsend, Jenna, Mary, and Lilly Nila, Angela (Ben) Simmons, Chrissy (Don) Smith, Kelly Townsend, Haley Wakeham, Elizabeth (Tony)Callow, Amy (Josh) Branch, and Jamie and Jenna Townsend; great-grandchildren, Marley and Aurora Simmons, Dominic and Dylan Smith, Brooke and Ella Branch, and Austin and Andrew Callo; nieces and nephews; her cherished companions - her dog, Teddy Bear; cat, Baby, and granddog, Marilyn.
Mary was predeceased by her parents; husband, Carl; son, Mark; brother, Peter Sparano, and grandson, Patrick Nila.
A Mass Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in St. Mary’s Church, Auburn. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Farrell’s Funeral Service, Inc., 84 South St., Auburn.
Mary’s family wishes to thank Dr. Mark McSwain and staff for their kindness, compassion, and special care of Mary.
