Obituary
Constance (Connie) Townsend, age 99, of Ft. Myers FL passed away on October 26, 2020. She had a good life with more joy than sorrow, always surrounded by family and friends. She enjoyed much love, laughter and, of course, dance.
Connie was born in January 1921 to Laura (Hickey) Sinclair and Bertrum Sinclair in Aspinwall PA. After graduating from Ridley Park High School in 1938 she held several clerical positions in the Philadelphia area. She then moved to Baltimore MD where she served as secretary at Glenn L. Martin Co. for more than a decade. Connie then began a career as Assistant to the Executive Director of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland T/A MedChi (The Maryland State Medical Society) where she worked for over 20 years until retiring in 1986. She was an intelligent, articulate and confident woman, skilled at organizing and public speaking which served her well in handling her many responsibilities at MedChi.
Connie married Richard James Schaufert in October 1942 and was blessed with two children, Richard Alan and Sandra Lee. They divorced in 1956. A short second marriage to Clarence (Cy) Galtin ended in divorce in 1967.
She greatly enjoyed travel and had the opportunity to visit a number of countries both on business and for pleasure including England, Greece, Thailand, Japan, several in Scandinavia as well as numerous cities in the USA.
Connie met Fred Pat Townsend and they married in November 1975. Connie loved to dance and like many in her day, did a great Jitterbug in her teens. As years passed that joy of dance transitioned to a passion for ballroom dance. Pat loved ballroom dance as well and together they took lessons, danced regularly at their local studio and enjoyed competing for many years. Ballroom dance was a huge part of their lives and they had a wide circle of friends who shared their passion.
Connie served as Secretary for the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association (USABDA) from 1979 to 1995. She was actively involved in the organization, volunteering much time to helping in the growth of new chapters and membership across the country. She was actively involved in organizing an Affair of the Heart ballroom competition and several others as well. The organization changed its name in 2005 to USA Dance Inc. and their many volunteers continue to promote dance.
She and Pat moved to Ft. Myers FL in 2005 to enjoy the milder climate and made many new friends at a 55+ retirement community.
Connie was predeceased by husbands Richard James Schaufert and Fred Pat Townsend and her much loved daughter, Sandra who passed in 2001 at the young age of 54.
She is survived by her son, Richard Alan Schaufert and his wife, Mary Schaufert, and grandsons Jeffrey and Ryan. Her daughter, Sandra Lee, together with husband Bernard Leilich had two children, Nicole and Joseph. Nicole married Chris Blazie and they have two lovely daughters, Maya and Ella. Joseph Leilich married Trish Remmey and they also have two wonderful children, Matthew and Stella. Connie delighted in her family and her much loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Due to the current Covid pandemic, there will be no service at this time, but a celebration of life with close family is anticipated in Baltimore in summer of 2021 when her remains will be interred next to Pat Townsend.
Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice at hopehospice.org or USA Dance at usadance.org.
Family and friends may sign the guest register or leave a condolence message by visiting www.baldwincremation.com.
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