Obituary of Eleanor M. Townley

ELEANOR M. TOWNLEY AGE: 89 NEWTON Eleanor M. Townley (nee West), Beloved Mother and Grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Bristol Glen CCRC in Newton, NJ. She was 89. Eleanor was born in Newark and lived in the Lake Shawnee section of Jefferson Township for 56 years before moving to Bristol Glen in 2009. A graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark, she worked at The Prudential Insurance Company before marrying and raising her family. Eleanor later worked for many years as a receptionist at the dental office of Thomas Lynch, DMD in Lake Hopatcong. An active participant in her church and community, Eleanor was a member of the Hurdtown United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She served in various positions during that time, including Church Historian, President of United Methodist Women, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Endowment Fund Committee, the Hurders (senior fellowship), and the Circle of Light Prayer group. Eleanor had a special affinity for Girl Scouting and was a scout from an early age. She became a troop leader for the first time at age 17 and later served as a Board member of the Morris Area Girl Scout Council. Eleanor was a past vice president of the Jefferson Twp. PTA, member of the Lake Hopatcong Women's Club, and volunteer at Goodwill Industries and the American Cancer Society. During WW II, she was part of the Stage Door Canteen Program, providing hospitality to U.S. soldiers. Eleanor also had been a volunteer with the Greystone Park Association for more than 20 years. She worked at their Thrift Store in Morris Plains until age 86 when she reluctantly gave up those duties for health reasons. Eleanor was known for her kindness, compassion, and hospitality. She touched many hearts during her lifetime. Predeceased by her husband, Walter E. in 2002, Eleanor is survived by her son, Walter G. of Lake Shawnee; her daughter, Barbara McShane of Whippany; her granddaughter, Erin McShane of Whippany; her brothers, John West and his wife, Carol, of Richmond, TX; Robert West and his wife, Elizabeth, of East Hanover; her cousin, Mildred Dreyer of Denville; many nieces and nephews; and her "adopted daughter", Mary Reilly of Mt. Arlington. A memorial service to celebrate Eleanor's life will be held on Saturday, April 17 at 12 noon at the Hurdtown United Methodist Church, 823 Route 15 South, Lake Hopatcong. Interment services will be private. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider contributions to the Hurdtown Christian Education Fund, c/o Hurdtown United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 665, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849. Arrangements are by Tuttle Funeral Home in Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).