ETHEL ELLEN TOWNSEND (REID)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ETHEL ELLEN TOWNSEND (nee REID) April 3, 1931 - March 25, 2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ethel Ellen Townsend at Vista Park Lodge in Winnipeg. She is survived by her three children: Leanne Hill (James) of Calgary, AB; Reid (Connie Sorokowski) of Sherwood Park, AB, and Dale (Janet Milburn) of Winnipeg, as well as six grandchildren: Ben Townsend, Danielle Hill, Katrina and Gianna Townsend, and Sarah and Emily Townsend. She is also survived by three sisters: Florence Gilbert, Laura Dahl and Fran Pyper; sisters-in-law: Verna Hogsden, Audrey Richmond, Leona Reid, Lois Reid, Shirley Reid, and brother-in-law Lloyd Pyper, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Charlie Townsend in 2005, siblings Ken, Ada, Harry, Jack and Frank, as well as numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Ethel was born in Bengough, SK and as a child moved with her family to MacGregor, MB. Her family moved to different farms in the MacGregor-Katrime-Palestine-Gladstone areas. Ethel completed Grade 11 in Gladstone and attended Success Business College in Winnipeg where she studied stenography. Her places of employment included the Creamery office and Bank of Montreal in Gladstone, Honeywell Controls and Canadian Oil in Winnipeg. She met Charlie Townsend, a grain elevator agent, in 1957 at a dance in MacGregor, MB. They were married on October 10, 1959 in the middle of a legendary Thanksgiving snowstorm in Gladstone. After their marriage, Charlie's work took them to many small towns in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In 1973, Charlie became owner-operator of Bison Seeds in Cypress River, MB, where they lived for the next 30 years. She and Charlie enjoyed meeting new people and often travelled together to seed conventions and to visit family and friends. After Dad's death, Mom lived in Carberry before moving to Winnipeg. Mom was known for her sweet, gentle and generous spirit and ready smile. She had an exceptional ability to connect with and encourage people of all ages. When asked about this ability, her reply was she learned by watching and listening to her own mother interact with people. She especially loved chatting with young people and spent several years as a much loved CGIT leader and Sunday school teacher in Darlingford, MB and a Sunday school teacher in Cypress River. Ethel was also a trusted confidante to her children and grandchildren. The 2006 diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease did not rob her of this ability - she continued to flash her lovely smile and desired to know what was happening in other's lives before speaking about her own troubles. Her greatest joy came from knowing Jesus as her Saviour and spending time with family and friends. Family reunions in Gladstone, as well as camping trips and many visits with extended family and friends were greatly anticipated and treasured. She particularly loved spending time with her grandchildren. Mom's interests included sewing, knitting, reading and crafts. Ethel's funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Carberry Evangelical Free Church, Carberry, MB at 2:00 p.m. with final resting place in the Reid family plot in Gladstone. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K8 or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. Clarke's Funeral Home of Gladstone is in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 29, 2014