Obituary of Karen Anne Townley

Karen Anne Townley

(nee McCaffrey)

February 19, 1950 -March 29, 2025

(Retired- Director of Nursing, Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital and the Grove Nursing Home)

With heavy hearts, yet deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Karen Townley announces her passing on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital at the age of 75. She was the beloved wife of Ron Townley, with whom she shared 34 wonderful years, and the proud mother of Nigel Townley (Megan). Karen eagerly anticipated the arrival of her cherished granddaughter, Willow Anne. She was a dear sister to Arlene Gillan (Frank) of Pakenham and Jim McCaffrey (Gwen) of Woodlawn, and was predeceased by her baby sister, Beverley. Karen will be fondly missed by her nieces Sylvia Stanton, Lainey Rusaw, and Kelsey McFarlane, and her nephews Bobby Gillan and Tyler McCaffrey, as well as sisters-in-law Jacqueline Bertrand (late Edward), Joan Neill (late Milton), and Donna Charbonneau (late Oscar), brothers-in-law William Townley (Carolyn), Joseph Townley (Helen) and John Townley (Judy) and many treasured friends. Also predeceased by sister-in-law Rosemary Popkie (late Howard) and brother-in-law Bruce Townley. She was the daughter of the late Aylwin and Christabel (Evans) McCaffrey.

Raised in Woodlawn, Karen was rooted in the McCaffrey family store, a lifeline for their rural community. That legacy of care inspired her registered nursing career, where she became a lifeline as Director of Nursing at the Arnprior Hospital and the Grove Nursing Home, leaving a lasting legacy. She also found great joy teaching as a professor at Algonquin College in Pembroke, always inspiring the next generation of caregivers. An avid quilter, Karen wove her love and creativity into every stitch.

Karen’s arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street N., Arnprior. Friends are invited to pay their respects during visitation on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. in the Boyce Chapel. Interment at Arnprior Malloch Road Cemetery. In memory of Karen and her extraordinary dedication to the Arnprior Hospital and the community, donations may be made to the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation or to the Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Seniors at Home Program.