Born on June 28, 1951 in Missoula, Mont., to Charles and Bernice McLaughlin, Zelda was the fourth of six children. Her father was a construction worker who worked on the dam building projects on the Columbia River and on the Interstate 84 building project. Due to her family moving around from job to job, Zelda attended many schools in the Northwest; ending with Umatilla High School.
Zelda married Steve Townsend in 1969 in Pendleton and they were happily married for 45 years. Family was always very important to Zelda and she dearly loved her son Brian, and her grandchildren Bailey and Chase Townsend.
Zelda worked in various places through the years including the Pendleton A&W Drive-in, Pendleton Payless, owning her own pet store in Pendleton called “Fish & Things,” doing farm work near Paterson, Wash., and being the point of sales clerk for St. Michelle Winery.
When she was not working, Zelda was often busy volunteering in her community. This included the Paterson School District, 4-H, and the Benton County Fire District #6. When talking with her friends, they mentioned frequently how Zelda always cared about and gave 120 percent for other people.
Zelda loved animals; especially cats, collecting beautiful glassware and other items, and doing beadwork; both free hand and on a loom. In addition, she loved being in the outdoors where she enjoyed water skiing, fishing, snow skiing, riding motorcycles, and being with friends and family. Most of all, Zelda is remembered for her wonderful sense of humor.
Preceding Zelda in death are her parents, Charles and Bernice McLaughlin; her sister, Seyonna; and her brother Chuck.
Zelda is survived by her husband, Steve Townsend of Umatilla; son, Brian and his wife Kim Townsend of Irrigon; grandchildren, Bailey and Chase Townsend, also of Irrigon; sister, Marlane Jernegan of Gig Harbor, Wash.; brothers, Mike McLaughlin of McMinnville, and Owen McLaughlin; plus multiple nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Memorial donations in memory of Zelda Townsend to Providence Medical Center in Portland. Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
