Obituary List

Nancy Sue Gifford Townsend (63) passed away peacefully on May 27, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida due to complications from lung cancer. Nancy was born on October 29, 1959 in Jacksonville, Florida to Barbara Sue Varnes Gifford and Guy Aubrey Gifford Jr, but was raised by her mother, and her stepfather, Robert James Read. She had two older brothers, Chriss Gifford and John Gifford. She grew up in Jacksonville and attended Nathan B. Forrest Senior High School her sophomore year before moving to Lexington Park, Maryland and attending Great Mills High School, where she graduated in 1977. Throughout her life, she was a “tomboy” – she loved playing and watching sports. In high school, she was involved in many activities: cheerleading, soccer, track, volleyball, powder puff football, science club, art club, chorus and ensemble, thespians club and student government. She loved to joke and was voted Class Clown her senior year. Nancy was a hard worker and had a variety of jobs throughout her life, but she was most proud of raising her four children: Lauren Elizabeth, Katharine Alexandra, Derrick James, and Athena Hallie Simone. Nancy didn’t always live close to family, but she was outgoing and made new friends quickly that became part of her and her family’s village. Nancy enjoyed traveling and took her kids on many road trips. She went with friends to Hawaii, Vegas, and enjoyed living in Naples, Italy with her family and visiting the surrounding areas. Nancy was very artistic and loved creating. She wrote poems and stories, sewed clothes, drew characters, painted, and loved to sing, dance, cook and bake. She passed many of those talents on to her children. Nancy loved crossword puzzles and was good at them. She loved decorating for holidays. Her Christmas presents were ornate and impeccably wrapped and she enjoyed decorating her Christmas tree with a theme. She loved all animals and had many pets over the years. Nancy loved to entertain family and friends. She was a die-hard FSU fan, collected all things Florida State and loved attending games and cheering on the team. Nancy was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2003. She had strong faith in Jesus Christ and found strength through prayer and scripture study. Loving and serving others was important to her. She always found ways to give to others. Around 2008, Nancy reconnected with Troy Townsend, a friend from high school and her prom date. They lived together in Coconut Creek, Florida for many years and married on September 8, 2018. Nancy often said Troy was her soul mate. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her late husband, Troy Townsend (2019). She is survived by her four children: Lauren Scott, Katharine Fabrizio (Coby), Derrick Daniels (Marissa), and Athena Harrison, as well as her four grandchildren: Saniya Scott, Quinton Scott, Dallin Daniels, and Magnolia Daniels. Nancy wanted good to come from her passing, so she requested that her body be donated for medical research and education.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 10th from 11am-2pm at 11951 Old Saint Augustine Road, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In lieu of flowers, we invite donations in memory of Nancy to the American Cancer Society. Nancy will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.