Mary Catherine Townsend

Mary Catherine Townsend ended her journey on this earth April 15, 2019 at the age of 96. Mary was born in Chillicothe, Missouri on October 23, 1922, to Charles and Elizabeth Schneider. In 1925 Mary and her mother Elizabeth moved to Fort Collins to take care of her sick aunt. Mary attended Saint Joseph's school through the 8th grade. Mary was the older of two children. Her only brother, Raymond, died in 1951.

In June 1941, Mary graduated from Fort Collins High School. Immediately following graduation, she enrolled in the Home Economics program at Colorado A & M. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Mary and two high school friends moved to Atlanta, Georgia to help with War II effort. Mary landed a job with the Department of Defense as a clerk typist, and attended USO dances on the weekend. It was here that she met Wayne Price Townsend, a Navy seaman enrolled in the Navy Officer's Candidate program at Emory University in Atlanta.

After the war, Mary and Wayne were married and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Wayne enrolled in Western Michigan University. Shortly after, they started a family, and Mary began a new career as a homemaker and devoted mother. In all, Mary and Wayne had nine children.

In 1960, Wayne and Mary moved their family to Southern California. Mom loved the sunshine and ocean. All of the children graduated from high school in La Jolla. Eventually, Mary and Wayne divorced, and Mary enrolled in Nursing school in San Diego. She graduated and worked as a private duty nurse for several years. Mary moved back to Fort Collins in 1978 to help care for her aging mother.

Mary was an avid traveler and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Mary made several memorable trips, however, her visit to the Holy Land with her Saint Joseph's Catholic Church group was one she would never forget and would love to reminisce about. Mary was a Devout Catholic who dedicated her life to Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. Mary also enjoyed playing bridge at the Elks Club and socializing with her friends.

Mary is survived by her nine children, Wayne C Townend (Valerie), Paul Townsend (Noriko), Raymond Townsend, Mary Allen (Arthur), George Townsend, Marc Townsend, Patrice Townsend, James Townsend (Cindy), and Anne Oliver (Chuck). Mary was also very proud to have 17 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

There will be a Rosary for Mary at Saint Joseph's Church on Wednesday, April 24th at 6:00pm; and a Memorial Mass on Thursday, April 25th at 2:00pm. A private Graveside Service will be held at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins in June.

Contributions may be made in Mary C Townsend's name to Saint Joseph Catholic Parish in Fort Collins.