Cornelia Townsend Ritzmann

Connie was born in Milford, Delaware on September 10, 1944, to Theodore Townsend II and Cornelia Abbot Townsend. She passed away on March 28, 2016, in the Venice Regional Hospital in Venice, Florida, after a brief illness. Connie is survived by John, her husband of more than 30 years. She is also survived by her sisters, Marsha Schmitz of Venice, Florida, Elizabeth Robinson of Gig Harbor, Washington, and her brother James Townsend of Federalsburg, Maryland, and several nieces and nephews. She spent the first part of her life in Delaware where she enjoyed the Delaware beaches. She graduated from Milford High School and attended University of Delaware majoring in Business. She met her husband, John, at Rehoboth Beach in 1976. Connie moved from Delaware to Alexandria, Virginia in 1976. While living in Alexandria, she worked as an advertising sales executive in local newspapers and then as a real estate broker. She managed a large number of rental properties in Alexandria before moving on to a sales support position. She moved permanently to Venice in 2005 after many long visits. Connie was very active in the Venice Community, lending her expertise to the Bristol North Condominium on Park Boulevard North, where she lived for ten years. She was an artist in jewelry and fiber arts and volunteered at the Venice Art Center. She was a fixture at morning Beach Yoga for many years and took line dancing lessons among other activities. She had a very big heart and got her most enjoyment out of making other people happy. She loved to organize parties for Bristol North, Pinebrook Rehab Center, and others. She enjoyed making jewelry, scarves and boas as gifts for her friends and acquaintances, especially children. She read voraciously, mostly biographies of national and international figures. She was fascinated by Florida history and especially the history of Venice and Sarasota County. She loved to do Sudoku puzzles and could often be seen doing them at the beach. She had a wide circle of friends who will sorely miss her light and warmth. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Venice Art Center. Arrangements are being handled by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery. Pay respects at www.charlottememorial.com.