Ethel Roberta Townsend went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 20th, 2012. Ethel died peacefully at home with her loving family. Ethel was born August 16, 1918, to Elsie and Burton Bills. Ethel grew up in Orland, California. She attended Chico State, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree and a California teaching credential. Ethel was one of the first women of her generation in California who attended college and obtained a degree with her own finances. She taught school for a few years before she married. She also became an accomplished artist. Ethel met her husband, Craig Albert Townsend Jr., a young chemistry professor, while on a blind, double date with Craig's brother, Bob, and another young teacher. Both couples married, Craig and Ethel on August 17, 1947. They raised four children. They spent most of their years raising their family in Salinas, California, where Craig was a professor of Chemistry at Hartnell Junior College. Most of their retirement years were in Mariposa, Paso Robles, and San Rafael and most recently in Wasco. Ethel is preceded in death by her husband Craig, December 27, 2011, and her youngest son, John, in 2010. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Alan Townsend and his wife, Julie Townsend, of Wasco, Gary Townsend and his wife, Beky Townsend, of Fairfax, California, and Susan Townsend and her husband, Steve Loomis, of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Rebekka Siemens and her husband, Nate Siemens, Cory Townsend and his wife, Alyssa Townsend, Ryan Townsend and his wife, Ting Townsend, Janae Balikian and her husband, Steve Balikian, and Emily, Aliese & Shanna Townsend of Wasco. Ethel is also survived by six great grandchildren. A graveside service under the direction of Peters Funeral Home will be held at Wasco Memorial Park on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 9am for Ethel Roberta Townsend, age 93, of Wasco. Pastor Joey Cardamone of the Grace Community Church will officiate the service and interment will follow.