Obituary: The Reverend Marcheta P. TownsendDateline: Fairfax, Vermont
The Reverend Marcheta P. Townsend, age 69 years, a longtime pastor and District Superintendent in The United Methodist Church died suddenly and unexpectedly Monday, October 22, 2012 at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
Born in Columbus, Ohio on, January 24 1943, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Annette (Grover) Pebbles. Marcheta was raised in the North Bloomfield, Ohio area and received her college education at both Westminster College and Drew University. She began her ministry in The United Methodist Church with her ordination in 1968. On June 24, 1973, she was married to Lindsay Townsend who survives her.
Marcheta served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for most all of her working life and even after retirement continued to minister to many families that were in need of her expert counseling and compassion. In Vermont she served in many United Methodist Parishes including, Waterbury Center, Moretown, Hancock, Underhill, Jericho, Georgia, St. Albans Bay, Burlington, East Montpelier Highgate Center and Isle La Motte. In addition she was District Superintendent for the Green Mountain District of the United Methodist Church, was cofounder and president of the Franklin - Grand Isle Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a member of the Board of Directors of Northwestern Counseling and Support Services, a member of the Franklin-Grand Isle Community Partners and a volunteer at Westview House in Burlington and school libraries in Isle La Motte and Fairfax. She enjoyed bird watching and participated in many bird watching events throughout Franklin and Grand Isle counties.
Besides her husband Lindsay, Marcheta leaves her children, Lynn Mayo of Barre, Thomas Townsend of Fairfax and Mark Townsend of Barre; grandchildren, Brooks Mayo of Barre, Jazmyn Townsend of Fairfax and Jordan Townsend of Fairfax. She is also survived by a brother, Charles Pebbles of Ohio as well as several nieces, nephews and her four-legged pal, Buddy.
A Celebration of Marcheta's Life will be held Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at 11 a.m. from The First United Methodist Church, 21 Buell St., Burlington. The Reverend Mark Demers will officiate. A reception in the church fellowship hall will follow.
Interment Services will take place Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Townsend family lot in the Underhill Flats Cemetery.
Friends may call at The Kidder Memorial Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton on Monday, October 29, 2012, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9p.m. and on Tuesday morning at The First United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service.
In lieu of flowers gift's in Marcheta's memory may be made to, Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1375, St. Albans 05478; Covenant Hills Christian Camp, c/o Todd Marlow, 96 Center St., Richford 05476; The First United Methodist Church, 21 Buell St., Burlington 05401 or to the, VT-NH Susan G. Komen for the cure, P.O. Box 2496, Manchester 05255.
