Mary E. Townsend

COLONIE – Mary E. "Bette" Townsend, 86, died on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. Born November 17, 1923 in Middletown, NY, she was the daughter of the late Earl W. and Mary E. (Lawrence) Pierce. She was a graduate of Middletown High School. She was predeceased by her sisters, Edyth Pierce Wernau and Kathryn Pierce Chambers.
Bette was homemaker and active in the volunteer work of the Middletown Junior League, Atlanta Junior League and Philadelphia Junior League. She was also an avid golfer and bridge player.
Upon moving to Fort Pierce, Florida in 1982 she was a member of the Indian Hills Country Club. She was past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Pelican Yacht Club. After moving to Vero Beach in 1987, she became a member of the Vista Plantation Golf Club and the Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2004 she moved to Colonie.
Bette is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Arnold J. Townsend, Jr.; her sons, Arnold J. Townsend III (Vicky) and Robert E. Townsend (Alice); her daughter-in-law, Nancy Townsend; her grandchildren, Megan, Kate, Denise, and Renee Townsend; her niece, Francine Wernau Green (Larry) and her nephew, Norbury Chambers (Dottie).
A memorial service will be held at Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY. The time of the service will be announced at a later date. Interment will be
in the family plot at Phillipsburg Cemetery in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice in memory of Mary E. "Bette" Townsend.