Shirley Ann Townsend's Obituary
Shirley Ann (Pencille) Townsend, 80 of Tavares, FL, passed away on March 21, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Shirley was born on September 12,1944 in Lockport, NY, the daughter of Orville L. Pencille and Rita (Burns) Pencille.
Shirley graduated from Lockport Senior High School in 1962. She wed the love of her life and high school sweetheart Roger F. Townsend on August 31,1963 at St. John’s R.C. Parrish in Lockport, NY. They were married for over 61 years.
Shirley retired from General Motors Harrison’s Radiator Plant in Lockport, NY. After Roger and Shirley retired, they moved to Surfside Beach, SC in 1998, before moving to Tavares, FL in 2003. They were snowbirds for many years, returning in the summers to their camp at the Wildwood KOA in Medina, NY.
Shirley especially loved playing Bingo, working on newspaper puzzles, feeding her hummingbirds, and spending time with family and friends. Shirley also loved to travel and enjoyed cruising
Remaining to cherish Shirley’s memory are spouse, Roger F. Townsend; children, Karen Claud-Janiga (Charles Janiga), Roger Eric Townsend (Stacy Peck) and Leann Dannemiller (J. Shae); grandchildren, Mitchell Claud, Patrick Claud, Alexandria Dunham (Caleb), Nicole Sadda (Aram) Roger L. Townsend, Adam Barnes (Maddison) and Jake Barnes; great-grandchildren, Natalie, and Allison Dunham, and Nolita Sadda. Shirley was pre-deceased by her parents, Orville and Rita Pencille, and her in-laws Clarence and Mary Loraine Townsend. She is survived by her brother Richard Pencille (Annette). She was predeceased by her brothers, Orville Pencille (Helen), Robert Pencille (Joyce), Edward Pencille (Norma), Frank Pencille (Carol), John Pencille (Betty), and sisters, Rita Denniston (Tom) and Joan Frederick (Douglas); along with several nieces and nephews, She is also survived by her in-laws, Shirley Townsend (deceased Richard), Marty Townsend (deceased Douglas), Donald Townsend (deceased), Bruce Townsend (Patti), Chip Townsend (Ron Silverio), Mary Bessinger (deceased Gordon), Dorothy Ramming (John), Ruth Ann LaPort, (deceased David), and Jane Dent (Richard).
Family would like to thank Cornerstone Hospice for the loving care Shirley received. A celebration of life will be held in New York at a later date.
Donations can be made in Shirley’s memory to Cornerstone Hospice or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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