?Patricia Ann Townshend
1935 – 2017
Pat was born in Hong Kong of English parents on February 5, 1935. Her childhood and education were spent in Beckenham, Kent, England during and after World War II.
She was trained as a school music teacher at the Royal Academy of Music in London, receiving the LRAM and GRSM certificates, and began her career in 1957. She taught in England for 7 years and then spent a year at Bretton Hall College of Education
in Yorkshire, receiving a diploma in education, before emigrating to Canada in 1965, taking up residence in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
Pat taught music and some other subjects at Laurie and Parkland Junior High Schools for eight years, then for seventeen more years at Amy Woodland Elementary School, before retiring in 1990. She particularly enjoyed directing school choirs, and was involved in the production of several musicals, the East Kootenay Music Festival and the Christmas Massed Choir Festival.
Pat leaves to mourn her dear brother Philip, a cherished niece Elisabeth (John), many good friends and special friend Marion Howe who was like a sister to her. She was predeceased by her father Horatio “Paddy” Townshend in 1959 and her mother Marjorie in 1961.
Pat loved her adopted country, Canada, becoming a citizen in 1971. She also loved the community of Cranbrook and her church family at the Cranbrook United Church, where she served as choir director and committee member for many years. “Her choir” was very special to her.
Some of her other involvements included volunteering for the East Kootenay Regional Hospital Auxiliary Association, Key City Theatre, Kootenay Chamber Orchestra, now the Symphony of the Kootenays, and working with its choirs for Christmas Concerts. The cultural scene in Cranbrook gave her much pleasure, especially the symphony concerts, which she never missed.
Over the years Pat dabbled a little in water colour painting and enjoyed working in her yard. She loved flowers, both garden and wild species. She had several much loved cat companions, and had a special feeling for wild creatures.
She loved the outdoors, exploring back roads, downhill skiing, snowshoeing and hiking in the beautiful East Kootenay country. She especially enjoyed the camaraderie of “The Senior Saunterers,” her walking group, and finding new places to explore in the area.
Pat did quite a lot of traveling, exploring her own province of BC, traveling across Canada to the Maritimes and Newfoundland, visiting many places in the United States including taking a cruise to Alaska, Israel, Italy and other European countries, New Zealand and to Britain, visiting family and friends.
Now our Lord has called her home after living a full life in spite of her Leukemia.
Very special thanks to all who cared for her in different ways, her good friend Anne McMichael, her amazing doctor Andi Scheibenstock and the staff in both ambulatory care and on the 3rd floor.
A Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held at a later date, to be announced. Charitable donations in honour of Pat can be made to the: Cranbrook United Church, 2 – 12th Avenue South, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 2R7 or the East Kootenay Regional Hospital Foundation, c/o East Kootenay Regional Hospital, 13 – 24th Avenue North, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 3H9 or the East Kootenay S.P.C.A., PO Box 2, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 4H6.
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com
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