Glenith Helene Sayers Townsend

Glenith Helene Sayers Townsend passed peacefully at her home in Stillwater, Oklahoma the evening of February 27, 2017 at the age of 98! Born May 31, 1918 to Charles Elton and Jessie Helen Morse Sayers in Humboldt, Iowa. Glenith lived on the family farm til winter of 1923. She graduated from 6th grade in 1929, then at the age of 15, graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, MO in 1934. Her education continued at Kansas City Teacher's College and Dickenson Secretarial School. Glenith married Ralph Aldon Townsend, Jr. The first time she saw Aldon was in Kansas City, MO, Spring of 1940, she turned to her friend and said "he's mine!" and by the following Labor Day weekend, August 30, 1940, they were married! By March of 1947, the family moved to Oklahoma City, into the chosen Putnam City Consolidated School District, that Glenith researched and determined was the best for her children's education thru 12th grade. She served as president of the PTA four different times during five school years at Putnam City Schools. She and Aldon would join in fund raisers and supportive activities of Maureen and Bud's school and schoolmates. Glennie and Aldon were in Optimist Club, Quarterback Club, Young Life, Church, PTA, Dinner Club, & Coffee Club all in 1958. Glennie was always looking for a better or more efficient way to do something; she had the ability to accomplish tasks quickly and successfully. Close friends still make remarks to this day about the many times they saw Mrs. Townsend wearing her cowboy boots out & about, whether with jeans, shorts or even skirts! Her signature/distinctive laughter always brought joy to all within range. Glennie had an incredible knowledge and eye for antiques. Starting in 1955, she and Aldon spent many weekends antiquing, in Oklahoma, Colorado & Arkansas, acquiring many "treasures" for their OKC home. In 1966, they went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and fell in love with "the house on the hill." Glennie and Aldon purchased their get-away place and filled it with more antiques. The "house on the hill" is now a bed & breakfast. She fostered her love for antiques into her senior years willingly to share her knowledge with her family and friends. Glennie was known to be a wonderful cook, especially for her beef stroganoff and pot-roast with noodle gravy. Her 3-layer pink buttermilk cake with white frosting is a tradition for all of the family birthdays. In the fall of 1967, after Aldon passed in January, she went to work for Globe Life Insurance and acquired her pet and companion for many years, a Doberman Pincher named Schotszi. After Globe Life, she went to work as a receptionist for First Presbyterian Church, where she and the family had been longtime members; later becoming the church's wedding coordinator. The brides loved her attention to detail and her delightful personality In 1984, Glennie moved to Stillwater, OK and became "House Mother" to about 75 young ladies each year as House Director for Kappa Delta Sorority. "Mom T" loved her fourteen years with KD. Her door was "always open" to the multitude of young women seeking her counsel, whether it be problems with a boyfriend, issues with school or just the desire to sort out things. She was so honored when they initiated her into the Kappa Delta Sorority upon retirement in 1998. She valued the friendships she had made through the years. She stayed in Stillwater for the remaining years of her life. First sharing her home with her beloved little dog, Brandi for several years, and then with her rescued cat companion, Cleo; both enjoyed watching the birds from front windows, and the Hallmark Channel. Throughout her life, Glennie would be in several organizations, host friend gatherings and nurture her longtime friendships thru the years. She was past member of PEO, Stillwater, LeMidi Reviewer's Club and Redbud Women's Club of Oklahoma City. Glennie was a remarkable woman in every stage of her life – a beloved and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pet lover and friend to all she knew. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Aldon, parents, Charles & Helen Sayers, brother, Junior Sayers, son-in-law, Danny Williams, (Betty's parents), Bill & Georgia Burtschi, close friend, Juanita Knotts and her beloved pet companions, Schotzi & Brandi, relatives in Iowa, a multitude of life-long friends. She is survived by her daughter, Maureen Townsend Williams, son, Ralph Aldon (Bud) Townsend III, wife, Betty Burtschi Townsend; grandson, Will Townsend, wife, Erica; great-granddaughter, Alice; grandson, Linc; Betty's brother, Jim Burtschi, and Cleo, along with a host of valued friends. Special thanks to friend and caregiver, Tina; neighbors Bonnie and Marie and Sarah and co-workers of Physicians Choice Hospice. Glennie gifted her body to OSU Willed Body Program in an effort to discover a clue to longer life to help others. Mother's Memorial Service will be May 12th, 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Smith & Kernke, 14624 N. May Ave. Please join us for some special memories and visiting, as we pay tribute to our remarkable Mother, Glennie, "Mom T", Townsend this Friday of Mother's Day weekend.