Christine Mary Townsend (Blanchette)

Christine Mary Townsend (Blanchette) was born on October 14, 1959 in Corona, CA. She died peacefully at Lund Home/Hospice of the Valley in Gilbert, AZ, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the age of 65.

Chris, or ‘Chrissy’, as she was affectionately known by friends and family, grew up in Corona and graduated from Corona Senior High School in 1977. Chrissy went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from California State Polytechnic University.

Chrissy followed the sunshine to Arizona where she interviewed with the man who would become her husband, best friend, and confidant for more than 38 years. Chris remained in the insurance industry and became a highly sought-after agent for more than 40 years.

Chris enjoyed staying busy and took pride in caring for everyone around her, while focusing on her favorite roles as wife, bonus mom, sister, friend, and advocate for youth through her extensive philanthropic work with Optimist International.

Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Chris would describe her as joyful, thoughtful, strong, intelligent, and incredibly organized.

Chrissy cherished her family time and looked forward to her time away with John, typically spent either golfing at a course they had not yet played in another state or country, or at Optimist conference or convention. Chrissy was always busy planning some event, living up to her reputation as the ‘consummate cruise director’, in addition to working full-time, taking care of John and his needs, while also staying involved and active in her daughter’s and granddaughters’ busy lives. She really could do it all, and she did all of it with such grace, poise, and made it look easy.

John and Chris are faithful Catholics and devoted parishioners, calling Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Yuma, AZ their home parish. Immaculate Conception welcomed John and Chris into their community with open arms, in turn expanding John and Chris’ circle of friends and family.

Chrissy is survived by her husband, John (Ron) Townsend; daughter Heather Townsend Watkins; granddaughters Emily and Megan; and her and John’s beloved dog Dude. Chrissy also leaves her brother Daniel (Jerriann) Blanchette, and three sisters Kathleen Blanchette, Lynn (Charles) Peaden, and Laura (Alphonso, Jr.) Perez, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Undoubtedly, Chrissy was reunited at the Rainbow Bridge with her fur-babies who had passed before her: Chipper, Crystal, Boo, and CocoPaw.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018, followed by A Celebration of Life.

Donations can be made to The Singletons Arizona, www.thesingletonsaz.org, a non-profit organization supporting Single-Parent Families battling cancer throughout the Valley.