Nancy Townsend

January 9, 1931 - June 30, 2017

Nancy Madora Townsend, age 86, of Iowa City formerly of Wilton and Washington, Iowa passed away peacefully at Oaknoll Retirement Community in Iowa City on June 30, 2017. Visitation will be held at Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington, Iowa on Monday July 3rd from 4 to 6pm. An additional one hour visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 5th at 1pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 213 5th Street in Wilton, Iowa followed by funeral services at 2pm. Interment will be at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilton. Nancy was born January 9, 1931 in Washington, Iowa to Robert and Jean (Hay) Patterson. She married Hishiar Shamdin in 1953; they later divorced. Nancy married Herbert Townsend on July 23,1988 in Washington, Iowa. They enjoyed their 26 years together in a loving relationship which served as a model for family and friends around them on how to live your golden years. Nancy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilton where she served as a deacon. She was a generous supporter of the University of Iowa Foundation and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Nancy graduated in 1948 from Washington High School in Washington, Iowa and from Grinnell College in 1952. She worked most of her professional career as a speech therapist for Grant Wood Area Education teaching children to communicate clearly and develop confidence in their language skills. Nancy spent most of her adult life balancing the responsibilities of a single parent and working full time in the school system. Her unconditional devotion to raising her children has given them a gift beyond words that they will cherish the rest of their lives. Her undying love and support for her grandchildren taught them to appreciate their worth and nurtured their individual talents. Nancy is survived by her sister, Patricia Dimock, and four children: Laith Shamdin, Sannia (Michael) Mollman, Nancy (Joel) Rizor, and Robert (Elaine) Shamdin. Grandchildren include Chad Mollman, Sarah (Marty) Lane, Alison Mollman, Elizabeth and Alec Rizor, Abigail, Katherine, and James Shamdin. There are four great grandchildren. Her nine nieces and nephews are Elizabeth (Tim deceased) Stoffer, Mary (Blair Frank) Kirkpatrick, Charles (Denise) Townsend, Frank (Kristi) Townsend, Barb (Ron) Soenksen, Linda (Larry deceased) Shoppa, Joan (Fred) Bartenhagen, Gary (Darla) Glenney and Dwight (Dianne) Glenney. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Memorials may be made to Iowa City Hospice, First Presbyterian Church of Wilton or to the family for a scholarship at Washington High School. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com or www.jonesfh.com