Mary Townsley

TOWNSLEY, Mary Elaine Castor, age 90, died September 27, 2019. A resident of Beavercreek for 60 years, Mary relocated to Newton, North Carolina in 2016 to be closer to family.  The daughter of Blanche Woodyard Castor and Carl Castor, she was born in Hilliard, Ohio on July 6, 1929. She grew up on a small farm with her two older sisters, then left to attend college at Ohio State University.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and worked with the Campfire Girls until marrying David Townsley in 1953. They had three children and Mary threw herself full-tilt into becoming a successful homemaker.  Mary was a good listener and she had a wide circle of friends. She was a Cub Scout den mother, volunteered at a shelter for those facing domestic violence, and volunteered in the office at Hawker United Church of Christ.  Mary’s minor in college was in music and she was an accomplished pianist. She sang soprano in the church choir and knew the words to an impressive array of show tunes. She enjoyed community theater, playing bridge and reading historic novels.  Mary adored being a grandmother and spent as much time as she could arrange “making memories”. She also loved to travel, camping extensively across much of this country, including Alaska, and exploring parts of Europe and New Zealand. Mary opened her home to those needing safe harbor.  She valued education and, along with her husband, was instrumental in providing both financial and emotional resources to those who had the need and motivation.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister Ruth Castor of Columbus, OH, and a grandson, Rohan Khan Townsley of Greenville, NC.  She is survived by her Husband David Townsley, sister, Jean Castor Gibson of Montgomery, AL, daughter Janet Townsley and her husband Ed Levi of Fayetteville, AR, son Michael Townsley and his wife Lynne Ross of Vale, NC, and son Russell Townsley and his wife Rakhshi Khan of Davis, CA. She also leaves behind four grandchildren:  Crystal Chevalley of Fayetteville, Aaron Chevalley of Briceland, CA, Samir Townsley of Davis, CA and Riyan Townsley also of Davis, CA.

A private celebration of her life will take place Oct. 1 and her ashes will be scattered somewhere beautiful.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Townsley family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.

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