2021/03/obit-townsend-Jean-obit-pic-2-212x300.jpgJean Lois Baker Townsend, 90, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away Friday, March 19, at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center.
Jean was born Feb. 21, 1931, to Ellsworth and Grace Baker at home on the family farm outside of Marshall, N.Y. Jean attended high school at Houghton Academy in Houghton, N.Y., graduating in 1949. She attended business school in Hornell, N.Y.
Jean met the love of her life, Frank Townsend (who was her neighbor at the time), in Hornell and they married on July 11, 1953. The newlyweds moved to Corning N.Y., where Frank worked for the Erie Railroad and Jean was employed by Callahan and Hooey Insurance until her retirement.
Upon retirement, Jean and Frank moved to Mooresville, N.C. They were both very involved in their church, William’s Chapel United Methodist Church, and enjoyed entertaining their many friends and gardening in their extremely large garden until Frank’s passing, Nov. 21, 2001. After Frank’s death, Jean enjoyed traveling and various bus tours with her church group and good friends.
In 2006, Jean moved to Pagosa Springs, Colo., to be with her son, Neal, and his family. She was involved in Pagosa Bible Church and loved hosting the Senior Bible Study in her home. She also enjoyed book club and gatherings with friends. She loved watching her grandchildren grow and participating in their lives.
Jean is survived by her son, Neal Townsend and wife Carolyn, of Pagosa Springs; her grandchildren, Anne Townsend and Barak Townsend, of Fort Worth, Texas; and her great-grandchildren, Gideon and Simeon Townsend, of Fort Worth, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for Thursday, March 25, at Pagosa Bible Church in Pagosa Springs, Colo. Interment will be a later date in Mooresville, N.C., beside her love, Frank.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jean’s name to Aspire Medical Services and Education, P.O. Box 5437, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or on its website at www.aspirepagosa.org.
