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Karen Lee Townsend

Karen Lee Townsend, 81, of Dayton, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 surrounded by her children at Concordia Lutheran Ministries Campus in Cabot, PA after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Karen was the only daughter of the late James W. Kennedy who was KIA in France during World War II and the late Maudella Kennedy. Karen was also preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Norabelle McCullough, who she lovingly referred to as "Mummie" and her grandfather Bart McCullough who raised her for the first 13 years of her life in the small, river town of Templeton, PA.

In 1960, after graduating from Redbank Valley High School, she married Donald E. Bussard Jr. from Dayton with whom she had four children: Lisa (Ronald) Kocent, Scott (Rhonda) Bussard, Brian (Sherri) Bussard and Sheila (Jeff) Wadding. As she raised her children, she owned and operated a Beauty Shop for many years in the community of Dayton, as well as, Fox's Pizza Den; both of which she operated out of her home. These business endeavors enabled her to make long-life friends while still being able to be a stay-at-home mother.

In 1993, she married Ronald S Townsend Sr. They enjoyed 23 years of married life in Spring Church, PA before Ron suddenly passed away from Mesothelioma in 2016. Her family expanded to include Cheryl (David) Graff and Ronald Townsend Jr (Michelle Zanetti). During these later years, she enjoyed working alongside her husband Ron doing security work for their G.P.S. Security Company and supporting him in his Constable work in Armstrong County. Karen enjoyed the security work assignments so very much because it kept her active with high school kids sporting events, the local county fair people and many other festivals and events where she could interact and visit with new people. In her quieter times, she enjoyed the hobbies of crocheting, cross stich, puzzles and reading. Her most treasured time was spent with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, furry friends and numerous trips to Myrtle Beach.

Along with her parents and husband, Karen was preceded in death by her grandson, Justin Boyer, her son-in-law, Ronald Kocent, her son in-law, David Graff, and her first cousin who was more like a brother to her, William "Butch" Clayton.

Karen was guided by The Serenity Prayer, "God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference."

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at the Clark Chapel of the Bauer Funeral Home, Inc., 238 S. Main Street, Elderton, PA.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at the funeral home with the Rev. Sheila Wadding officiating.

Interment will follow at the South Bend Cemetery.


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