Cathy Brunner Townsend, of Portage, died on Thursday, February 5, 2009.  Cathy's family includes her husband, Chuck; three children Brenda (Melissa Forsythe) Townsend, of Texas; Mike (Colleen) Townsend of Florida; and Deb (Kirk) Townander of Illinois; and seven Grandchildren.  She is survived by her twin Sister: Connie (Mark) Simpson of Hopkins; two very special Nephews, Matthew Simpson of Jenison and Jeremy Simpson of Portage; and several Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.  She is preceded in death by her parents.  Make a memorial donation to the Calvary Bible Church or U of M Pulmonary Hypertension Department.  

 

Cathy was an extraordinary woman who lived her life with vibrancy and zest, treasuring all those that were placed in her path.  Cathy was a woman of strong faith who often set aside her own needs to tend to the needs of others. 

 

Chuck was attracted to Cathy because she was a Christian and because she put forth the time and effort to forge a friendship with him as long as he needed. The couple fell deeply in love and was united in marriage on September 9, 1988. Cathy gained not only a husband but three children from Chuck's previous marriage as well.  Cathy embraced these children as her own from the very beginning.

 

Cathy graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in social work.  Cathy became employed for the State of Michigan as a social worker in Cass County.  In the early 1980's, she transferred her position to the Kalamazoo County office where she continued to work for a total of 35 years.