Mary Jean Townsend

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Mary Jean Townsend fully embraced each and every moment she was given. She traveled all over the world but was happiest when surrounded by the family she adored. Mary Jean was blessed to share almost seventy years with the love of her life with whom she witnessed her family tree blossom to include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were the light of her life and other siblings step sisters and brothers: Jackie, Beverly, William and Robert Hill. Through her hard work and dedication to the people and things she loved, she taught us that fulfillment is not found in what we have, but that it is in filling the moments we have with laughter, love, and selfless giving that we are richly blessed. Mary Jean will never be forgotten.

When WWI ended in 1918, America was poised for greatness. The decade that followed was primarily a prosperous one when radios, washing machines and refrigerators, and cars that were mass produced on assembly lines were signs of the time. Amidst this vibrant and exciting time was the year 1921 that was filled with great celebration for a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on August 24, 1921. Mary Jean was born to her parents, William and Edith (Campbell) Hill. She was a student at local schools including Kalamazoo Central High School where she played drums in the dance band. After graduating from high school in 1940, Mary Jean went on to attend Western Michigan University where she studied physical education and psychology.

It was also during her younger years that Mary Jean met the young man of her dreams. His name was Glenn Townsend, and after falling deeply in love they were married on May 23, 1943, in Victoria, Texas. Because her husband was in the Army Air Corps and later the United States Air Force, the couple raised their family that grew to include five sons, Dennis, Duane, Stephen, Bruce, and Robert, all over the world. Dogs were always an important part of the family as well. Mary Jean fully devoted herself to nurturing boys who became amazing young men.

Accompanied by a spirit of compassion, Mary Jean reached out to the world around her in a variety of ways. During the days of WWII in the early forties she was a volunteer with the Red Cross who was responsible for driving the families of wounded soldiers to Ft. Custer. Mary Jean volunteered with the organization again beginning in 1963 when she was a blood driver in the Kalamazoo and surrounding areas. She was part of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG), member of the Ladies Library Association of Kalamazoo (GFWC) where she served as president 1992-1994, and was also past president of the Michigan chapter of Reserve Officers Association Ladies (ROAL). In addition, Mary Jean was part of BPO of the Elks #50, served as a den mother when her sons were in Boy Scouts, and also set up the WWW (Wives Who Wait) during the Vietnam Era in Kalamazoo. Once her boys were older Mary Jean worked outside the home including in pediatrics beginning in the 1960s through much of the 1980s. Later on she worked very part-time at Kalamazoo Advanced Radiology.

Together Mary Jean and Glenn traveled all over, especially while he was in the military. One of her favorite places was at Crooked Lake in Delton, Michigan, during her younger days and in the summer with family. Mary Jean also visited Washington, D. C. twice and spent some time in Hawaii, England, and Ohio.

For as long as she was able Mary Jean enjoyed pursuing the things she loved. She was an excellent bowler and golfer who was even the club champ at Red Arrow Golf Course for a few years. Mary Jean had fantastic skills in the kitchen, which her family greatly appreciated as they loved her chicken, goulash, and scalloped potatoes. While living in England she began dealing in antiques and had impressive collections of figurines, china, pewter, and cook books. This kept her quite busy as Mary Jean never missed a sale. For years she and Glenn went to military conventions all over the country with ROA. Christmas and Thanksgiving were Mary Jean’s favorite times of the year as they were a time to spend gathered with family. When it came to music, she enjoyed the sounds of the big bands from her younger days.

All who knew Mary Jean Townsend would agree that she was a blessing in the lives of those around her. Described as the greatest mom in the world by her boys, she lived to selflessly give of herself to all who were within her reach. Mary Jean was content in all things and a woman of courage, strength, and grace. She will be forever missed.

Mary Jean Townsend died on August 23, 2014. An open house to honor her life will be hosted by her family on Friday, October 10, 2014 at the Ladies Library Association, 333 South Park Street, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Burial will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery.