OCEAN CITY — Lillian Taylor Townsend, age 98, died on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.
Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Susan Rynehart Taylor. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Dr. Francis J. Townsend, Jr. in 2001. She is survived by her children, Dr. Francis J. Townsend, III and his wife Jan of Baltimore, Susan Mullaney of Ocean City, Tina Smyth and her husband Dr. Thomas Smyth of Baltimore, and John R. Townsend and his wife Candace of Leandar, TX. She was an adored grandmother to nine grandchildren, Frances Julianne Townsend, Grace Mullaney, Anna, Sophie, Jack, and Sarah Townsend, and Taylor, Burk, and Sam Smyth. Preceding her in death were her beloved sisters Roberta Foley and Helen Chambers, and brother Howard Taylor.
Lil grew up in Severna Park and Baltimore City. As a young girl she did some modeling and had landed two small parts in two movies that were being filmed in the area “Annapolis Farewell” and “Navy Blue and Gold”. She was an accomplished diver and swimmer (swam across the Severn River) and a graduate of Goucher College. She taught kindergarten briefly before marrying Francis Townsend and moving to Ocean City where she would embrace the role of homemaker and Dr.’s wife with relish. Always organized, she balanced children, and busy social life, while making time for baking, flower arranging tennis, and bridge. She was a member of St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, The Dunes Club, Federated Garden Club, Atlantic General Hospital Auxiliary Board, and Director Emeritus of the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum. She also helped found ECHO Medical Center on Wight’s Island. Lil Townsend was a positive influence in the betterment of our community.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, 3rd St. and Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD. Rev. Michael Moyer will officiate. Interment will be private for the family. A donation in her memory may be made to: The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation, 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, MD 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com