Mary C. Townsend

Mary C Townsend (nee DeGuilio), age 93, of Gallatin, Tennessee and formerly of South Chicago Heights, Illinois (64 years) passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Beloved mother of Kim (Gary) Ruthenbeck and Denise (Chris) Ruthenbeck. Cherished ‘Gramma Pokey’ to Melissa (Paul) Ruthenbeck-Chiaramonte, A.J. (Mindy) Ruthenbeck, Daniel (Nichole) Ruthenbeck and great grandchildren Ryan William Ruthenbeck and Josephine ‘JoJo’ Mary Ruthenbeck. Fond aunt and great aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years William ‘Bill’ Townsend, parents Angelo and Caterina (Litro) DeGuilio and 11 siblings. Mary will be dearly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Mary enjoyed gardening especially roses and filling numerous flowerpots with beautiful annual flower displays. She took great pride in maintaining her mother’s hydrangea bush which was featured in the Star-Tribune for its age, size and blooms. Mary naturally fell into the role of caretaker with her mom, ailing siblings and friends. Honoring her Italian heritage and traditions were very important to her. At Christmas time she baked for weeks and shared her labor with family and friends. You could always count on a tray of her Christmas cookies. She expressed her sympathy by baking her infamous pineapple upside down or angel food cake for dear friends and family. Mary had a competitive spirit and enjoyed bowling with her sister ‘Dolly’ and cousins, as well as showing up her Arrowhead campground friends at bocci ball.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 11:00 am – 11:30 am immediately followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1729 Old Drakes Creek Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075. For friends and loved ones in Illinois visitation will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 10:30 am – 11:30 am at Smits – Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Road, Steger, Il 60475. Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois.

For further information regarding Tennessee services, please call Alexander Funeral Home 615-502-0011 or visit the online guestbook and obituary at www.alexandergallatin.com. Information for Illinois services can be found by calling 708-755-6100 or visiting the online guestbook and obituary at www.SMITSFH.com.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, donations can be made to St. Jude.