Obituary of JoAnne Townsend

It is with sadness that the family of JoAnne Townsend announce her death at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at the age of 68. Jo was born in Fredericton, NB, on October 15, 1953. Jo is survived by her son, Jack Townsend (Drew Fournier), of Dartmouth, NS. She was recently predeceased by her beloved husband, John Townsend. She was also predeceased by her parents, Jack and Doris (Kierstead) MacNaughton, and her brother, Donald MacNaughton. Jo graduated from Fredericton High School and worked as a dental assistant before deciding to become a homemaker to raise Jack and support John as he pursued his legal career. A talented painter and drawer, she used her artistic skills to make her house a home, to make her garden the talk of the neighbourhood, and to beautify and enrich the lives of her friends and family. She also passionately supported other local artisans; her gifts to others were always a form of art. Jo was also an excellent cook. Her culinary intuition was boundless, and her skills were renowned; they allowed her to easily reason through the most complex recipes, while also turning basic pantry ingredients into amazing dishes. To her, food and love were synonymous. Those seated around her table could feel her warmth and affection emanating through the meals she prepared. Jo had a lifelong love of reading and thirst for knowledge. She spent hours scouring the shelves of Westminster Books and Owl’s Nest Bookstore. The hundreds of books that lined the walls of her home spoke to her many areas of interest, which included armchair travel and world history. Fiercely proud of her Scottish ancestry, she was particularly fascinated by the history of that country and was overjoyed when she went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the seat of Clan MacNaughton. She was community-minded and a caring neighbour. She volunteered at a local hospice and for the local figure skating club, made sure her friends and neighbours had fully stocked fridges and freezers, and loved the children in her neighbourhood as if they were her own. Many thanks are due to Sherry, Kelly, Kevin, Bev, and everyone else on Grey Street who helped support Jo during her final few months. Jo loved nature, animals, and solitude. When not at home or visiting her boys in Halifax, she was happiest cottaging in St. Andrews, watching the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife around the Passamaquoddy Bay. A reception to celebrate John and Jo’s lives will be held in the Miramichi and St. John Rooms at the Crowne Plaza in Fredericton on Friday, September 16, 2022, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jo’s memory can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.