Obituary of Catherine A. Townsend

Catherine A. Townsend, 73, of Clinton, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday April 2, 2022. Born in Syracuse, NY on August 20, 1948, Catherine was the daughter of the late Robert and Ruth Engel. She graduated from Convent High School in Syracuse, NY in 1966 and LeMoyne College with a Bachelor Degree in Sociology in 1970. She began teaching at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Clinton NY in 1970. She earned her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from LeMoyne College while teaching at St. Mary’s and enjoyed her career there for 13 years before transitioning to teaching in Oriskany Central Schools for the following 21 years. Cathy thoroughly enjoyed teaching and always loved seeing her former students around the area. On August 15, 1980 she married Michael J. Townsend, with whom she enjoyed almost 42 years of marriage. They enjoyed spending time at their summer cottage on Little Long Lake, NY, visiting Wildwood, NJ, where she spent every summer with her family as a child and many as an adult, traveling together, and going on long Sunday afternoon drives. Cathy truly loved cooking, and was constantly looking into new recipes to try out and share with her family. She greatly enjoyed preparing for and celebrating holidays, and always had a beautifully, seasonally decorated front porch for all driving by to enjoy. Her green thumb was extraordinary, and she maintained a gorgeous array of summer annuals and a thriving vegetable garden. Cathy was kind and pleasant to everyone she met, and always had a smile and a story on her lips. She was caring and selfless, and always thought of others before herself. Her children and grandchildren were extremely important to her, and she was devoted to caring for them, spoiling them, encouraging them, and ensuring that they knew they were loved. Cathy is survived by her husband, Michael J. Townsend, her children, Michael A. Townsend (Michelle) and Matthew Townsend, and her three grandchildren, Maverick Townsend, Everett Townsend, and Vance Townsend. Cathy will also be remembered by her siblings, Beth Peppone, of Syracuse, NY, Robert Engel, of Syracuse, NY, Ruth Engel, of Prattsburgh, NY, Arthur and Tina Engel, of Naperville, IL, and Barbara Kenney, of Laurel Springs, NJ, as well as her nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Heart Association. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Friday, April 8, 2022, at St. Mary's Church in Clinton with Fr. John Croghan officiating.