Betty Ann Townsend, age 79, of Manistee, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, MI.
She was born on April 13, 1935 in Bear Lake Township and attended and graduated from Kaleva High School Class of 1953. Betty married Harry F. Townsend on June 1, 1953 in Manistee. Harry & Betty were longtime residents of Manistee Township. Harry preceded her in death on November 21, 1981.
Loving wife and mother to her family. She thoroughly enjoyed playing card games, quilting, knitting, crocheting and various crafts. Her passion was her friends and family.
She was a long time member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Manistee.
Betty will leave a deep void in the lives of all who knew her and loved her, especially her children Sheryl (Yurys) Shum of Williamsburg, VA; Steven ((Cyndi) Townsend of Taylor, MI; Mark (Cindy) Townsend of Charlotte, NC; and Brenda (Calvin) den Dulk of St. Cloud, FL. Also surviving are 15grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, her brother Fred Johnson, and sisters Rose Ann Harrigan, Mary Pearce, Loretta Sleeman and Joyce Ackerman.
She was preceded in death by her parents Victor & Mable (Gauthier) Johnson, husband Harry, son Gregory, daughter Cynthia Rybicki, and a brother Victor Johnson.
Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Chet Collins celebrant. A luncheon for family and friends will take place at the St. Joseph Parish Center in Manistee, immediately following the mass. Burial will take place after April 15, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Onekama.
The family will receive friends at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee on Wednesday March 25, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.