Reminiscences

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Margery Bronson Townsend

ReminiscencesCopyright © 2007 Margery Bronson TownsendAll rights reserved

This book is published by First Person Narrativeswww.trenacleland.com

Book design by Susan Daviswww.paintboxproductions.com

. De D i c a t i o n ,

T his small book of reminiscences is dedicated to the memory of my parents, Roy and Clarisse Bronson, for whose many gifts I am eternally grateful.

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M y appreciation and thanks to Jack Finney and Cia Townsend for their generous support of this book.

Christmas, 2007

. eD i t o R ’ s no t e ,

L ess than three months ago, I was commissioned by Jack Finney and his sister-in-law, Cia Townsend, to produce a small book about Margery Townsend — a remarkable woman, they said, whose long life had generated its fair share of fun anecdotes and interesting episodes. I knew that if Jack and Cia wanted to honor their mother-in-law in this way, she must be very special.

To gather her stories, I interviewed Marge about her life and edited the transcript into a chronological narrative, striving to maintain her voice throughout. Graphic designer Susan Davis then integrated Marge’s wonderful photos in an Art Deco-influenced layout, a nod to Marge’s 1930s-era coming of age.

A lthough our time was short and the book you hold in your hands is slender, it will give you a sense of Marge’s life in all its richness and complexity. Many thanks to Jack, Cia, and Marge herself for their wonderful support of this reminiscence project. We hope you enjoy this book.

Trena M. Cleland First Person Narratives December, 2007

.co n t e n t s ,

Part One: Beginnings Childhood 1My Parents 13On the Continent 19The Social Whirl 24Steve 31

Part Two: World War II The Home Front 41

Part Three: Giving Back

Volunteer Work 49

Part Four: Home & FamilyOur Six Children 61Townsend Traditions 66Tahoe 67Travels 74

Part Five: Reflections My Faith 79Personal & Spiritual Growth 83

Pa R t on e

. Be g i n n i n g s ,