Mary Eileen Townsend, age 98, daughter of William and Elizabeth Thorne Grafton, who was born, January 12, 1919 in Wellsville, Ohio passed away October 10, 2017 at Regents Park Nursing Home in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mary passed many quiet hours devoted to her love of reading, having personal devotions and as a prayer warrior for her family and for our Nazarene missionaries. She loved to do crossword puzzles to help keep her mind active. Until her arthritis became too painful, she also loved to knit. After her daughters were grown, she would accompany her husband, Clarence, on some work trips and spend time knitting while he worked. They also loved to travel. They had been to 3 World’s Fairs, Israel, England, Scotland, Wales, Holland, and Italy.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Clarence Jack Townsend, who was a veteran of WWII in the Asia Pacific theater.

She is survived by her 2 daughters and their families: Sharon and Bill Turner, Brad, Rebecca Strickland Turner and Kinsley, Brent, Katie Kapuga Turner, Angel, Elizabeth, and Jacob; Susan and Peter Day, Jennifer Day, and Jessica Day.

A celebration of the life of Mary Grafton Townsend will be held at Jacksonville Central Church of the Nazarene (2130 University Blvd. N) on Sunday afternoon November 12th’at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions in memory of Mary may be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Program Elderly Assistance in the CIS.

Most elderly adults in CIS countries are left with meager resources for living. Their only hope is to have a family member or close friend who can assist them. For many, care in a nursing home is either unaffordable or non-existent. Older adults who have been abandoned by their immediate families are most likely going to face death. A month’s staple of food or necessary medications will allow a person to live with dignity.

Make checks payable to General Treasurer Church of the Nazarene and send them to:

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

Please include the code ACM1576 on the memo line.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384

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