Jeanette Estelle (Guertin) Townsend died Monday, Aug. 4 at her Portland home. She was 96.
Born April 6, 1912 in St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Townsend was a champion speed skater in her youth and participated in winter sports for most of her life. She attended University of Minnesota and was a medical technologist at St. Joseph hospital in St. Paul, Minn., until she moved to Portland in 1937 and worked at Clark General Hospital in Vancouver, Wash.
In 1940, Mrs. Townsend married Graham, whom she met climbing Mount Jefferson with the Trails Club of Oregon. Together, they climbed most of the major peaks in Oregon and Washington. He preceded her in death in 1990. She worked with her husband as a lookout with the Forest Service during World War II. In the 1960s, Mrs. Townsend returned to work as a medical technologist at Good Samaritan Hospital. She also gardened and volunteered her skills as a flower arranger. She had been a member of Queen of Peace and Holy Cross parishes.
Survivors include son Paul Townsend; daughter Anne Smith and Jean Stupek; brother Leo; sisters Loretta and Bernice; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Andrew Church.
Remembrances may be made to Oregon Alzheimer’s Association.