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Nancy Townsend
NANCY M. PATTERSON
SHAMDIN TOWNSEND
Wilton
Nancy Madora Townsend, 86, of Iowa City, formerly of Wilton and Washington, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Oaknoll Retirement Community in Iowa City on June 30, 2017. Visitation will be held at Jones and Eden Funeral Home in Washington on Monday, July 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. An additional one-hour visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at First Presbyterian Church, 213 Fifth St., Wilton, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilton.
Nancy was born Jan. 9, 1931, in Washington, Iowa, to Robert and Jean (Hay) Patterson. She married Hishiar Shamdin in 1953; they later divorced. Nancy married Herbert Townsend on July 23, 1988, in Washington. They enjoyed their 26 years together in a loving relationship, which served as a model for family and friends around them on how to live your golden years.
Nancy was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Wilton, where she served as a deacon. She was a generous supporter of the University of Iowa Foundation and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Nancy graduated in 1948 from Washington High School in Washington and from Grinnell College in 1952. She worked most of her professional career as a speech therapist for Grant Wood Area Education Agency, teaching children to communicate clearly and develop confidence in their language skills. Nancy spent most of her adult life balancing the responsibilities of a single parent and working full time in the school system. Her unconditional devotion to raising her children has given them a gift beyond words that they will cherish the rest of their lives. Her undying love and support for her grandchildren taught them to appreciate their worth and nurtured their individual talents.
Nancy is survived by her sister, Patricia Dimock; and four children, Laith Shamdin, Sannia (Michael) Mollman, Nancy (Joel) Rizor and Robert (Elaine) Shamdin. Grandchildren include Chad Mollman, Sarah (Marty) Lane, Alison Mollman, Elizabeth and Alec Rizor and Abigail, Katherine and James Shamdin. There are four great-grandchildren
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Memorials may be made to Iowa City Hospice, First Presbyterian Church of Wilton or to the family for a scholarship at Washington High School.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com or www.jonesfh.com.
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