Townsend

Millicent Maud Townsend, affectionately called 'Miss Rob', 'Sister Millie' and 'Aunt Millie' of 5 Princess Alice Way, Kingston 7, and formerly of London, United Kingdom, was a kind, compassionate and caring mother who not only looked out for the best interest of her children, but also those she encountered on a daily basis.

"My mother was a wonderful lady who was very kind. She gave to people and was well liked wherever she went. She was very strong in character," her youngest child, Anthony Townsend, commented.

"She was one-of-a-kind, a very special lady. She treated and took care of us so, in the end, I took care of her and she was worth taking care of," he added.

Millicent was born on September 5, 1916, in Kingston. Her parents were Ethlyn Edwards and Cyril Jasper Roberts. She worked at Nelson's Pharmacy as a pharmacist and later migrated to England in 1952 where she reunited with her former lover, Alexander McWeary Townsend. While living in Jamaica and working in the Cross Roads area, she had met Alexander while he was also working in the area as a mechanic. Although they were involved in a relationship, it did not last and they went their separate ways. When she migrated to England, she realised he was also there and, on getting reacquainted, they decided to get married. The couple got married in 1953.

Alexander came from a family of 13 brothers and sisters, and was born in Dallas Castle, St Andrew, in February 1925. In England, Millicent worked as a hairdresser and dressmaker. In 1990 the Townsends resettled in Jamaica at 5 Princess Alice Way, Kingston 7. He predeceased her on July 12, 1993.

Millicent had four children: Cecil (1940), Neville (1942), Kathleen (1953) and Anthony (1956). Cecil died in 1997 and Kathleen in 2007.

Very active woman

Mrs Townsend was a very active woman up to age 90. However, after suffering a stroke in April 2007, she was never the same. She passed away on Thursday, May 7, at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Her sons, Neville and Anthony, grandchildren, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends survive her.

Her thanksgiving service was held on Friday, May 29, at 1p.m. at the St Andrew Parish Church. She was laid to rest in the churchyard beside her children and husband.