Charlotte Townsend, 105

Charlotte, the youngest of two children, was born to John and Gladys Cornborough on July 22, 1920, in St. Ignace, Mich. As a teenager, she volunteered to teach Sunday school at her church, worked summers in a jewelry store, and graduated from St. Ignace High School in 1938. That fall, Charlotte took postgraduate chemistry and Latin classes to prepare for nurses’ training in Pueblo, Colo. In the summer of 1939, she met the love of her life, Oren Townsend. Though she left for school that fall, distance only made their hearts grow fonder. Charlotte and Oren eloped in Raton, N.M., over Christmas vacation on Dec. 18, 1939, and initially settled in Pueblo, Colo.

The couple shared a deep love for travel, living in several states over the years. They moved to Detroit during WWII, where Oren worked in the war factories. They later lived in Okanogan, Wash., and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, before finally settling with their four children in Athol, Idaho, where they remained residents for over forty years. In retirement, they enjoyed winters in Tecopa, Calif., and a rich social life with other snowbirds.

Throughout her family-raising years, Charlotte worked occasionally at various store clerk jobs to boost family finances. However, primarily, she was a stay-at-home mom who served as a strong, fierce foundation for her four children’s spiritual, moral and physical growth. She was a talented seamstress and sewed most of her girls' dresses, including their wedding dresses. She and her husband attended all their children’s many activities, including sports, cheerleading, 4-H, Job’s Daughters, and many other church and school events. She also was active in her community in the United Methodist Church, Bayview, Athol, Belmont (BAB) Club, the Grange, and more. 

Charlotte loved the Lord with all of her heart and wherever she lived, there was never a time when she was not active in her chosen church body. In the early morning hours of Dec. 31, 2026, Charlotte Christina Townsend, an avid reader, finished the last chapter of her life on earth of natural causes and grabbed the extended hand of Jesus. At age 105, having always loved a good road trip, her soul went on the most exciting journey of her life, with God to God. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gladys Cornborough; brother Raymond Cornborough; husband Oren Townsend; children John Townsend and Sue Moilan (Robert); and grandson Sean Townsend. She is survived by children, Bonnie Wright (Thomas) and Christy Brumback (Brian), grandchildren Kelly Hebbard (Jonathan), Tina Murray (Larry), Patrick Townsend, Robyn Peltier (Louie), Ross Moilan (Traci), Danielle Donahue (Robert), Mindy Wright, Julie Robinson (Greg), Carrie Lefay, Jasmine McClarney (Chris) and Ambra Harris (Gabriel), 21 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Charlotte's ashes will be buried in Athol Cemetery alongside her loving husband, Oren, of more than 61 years. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookside Landing and Clearwater Health and Rehab in Orofino, Idaho, for Charlotte's care over the years.