Frances Elizabeth Townley

TOWNLEY,Frances Elizabeth (Blakeslee) Died on November 7, 2008, after a brief illness. She was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on April 23, 1918, the daughter of Caroline B. and Robert E. Blakeslee. She was the sister of the late Robert W. Blakeslee. She was married to Francis Edward Townley from 1946 until his death in January, 1998. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law F. Bradford and Martha R. Gerry Townley of Boston (metro west) and by her nephew, Robert E. Blakeslee of North Fort Myers, Florida, and her niece, Judy Haddon of Rocky Hill, Connecticut.Mrs. Townley was a 1939 graduate of Smith College. Following her marriage she lived in Clifton Park, New York, until the fall of 1997 when she and Frank moved to Peterborough. She was active in the Grooms Church and its successor, the Shenendehowa Methodist Church and its many ministries, for all of that time. She devoted her full energies to maintaining her family's home and enjoyed travel, gardening, and music, particularly at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. In addition, she and Frank treasured their times with the people of the Great Hawk community in Rochester, Vermont. In Peterborough, she remained involved in the activities and travel offered by the RiverMead retirement community and in the Peterborough Methodist Church. She will be remembered for her quiet and gentle spirit, which did not contradict a strong determination to stand for what is right. "Her children will rise up and call her blessed." A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church of Peterborough, with Rev. Elizabeth Davis, Pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peterborough Methodist Church. Jellison Funeral Home is assisting with thearrangements.