NORWICH – Ellen D. Townsend, 86, of Norwich, beloved mother and grandmother, went home to be with the Lord on Friday evening, Jan. 2, 2009 at her home with her family by her side.
The daughter of Rowland and Claudine Hopkins Dutcher, Ellen was born in June of 1922 in Oneonta. She grew up in Laurens and attended the local school, where she played basketball and graduated with the class of 1941. During her early working years, Ellen was employed by Bresee’s Department Store in Oneonta and the Scintilla of Sidney. Moving to Norwich in the late 1950s, Ellen gained employment with Victory Markets, where she worked for 27-plus years, retiring in 1988 as general manager of accounts payable and receivable.
Ellen was an independent and reserved lady of strength and confidence who was well respected by all who knew her.
Ellen is survived by her daughter, Barbara Lyn Townsend of Norwich; her granddaughters, Stacy and Ashley Kirchbaum of Norwich; and her grandson, Zachary Kirchbaum, also of Norwich. Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Gwen Decker of Oneonta, and nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Ellen will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Joseph Acanfora, pastoral care coordinator of Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Laurens Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from noon until the time of the service at 1 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.