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Pauline Franchini Townsend - Class of 1946

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 25/Feb/2026
71.223.130.53

    Pauline Franchini Townsend - Class of 1946, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother in-law, aunt, friend, retired Town Clerk for the Town of New Windsor, NY, and community leader, passed away on February 24, 2026, at the age of 97.

Born May 12,1928, at St Luke's Hospital, Newburgh, NY, Pauline was the youngest daughter of the late Philip "Filippo" and Isabella (Linsalato) Franchini, who immigrated to the United States from Rutigiano, Bari, Italy.

Pauline was predeceased by her husband and love of her life, Herbert F. Townsend, who passed away at the age of 52 on September 21,1980. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Theresa Marro, Anthony Franchini, Grace Alfano, Oronzo Franchini and Elizabeth "Lolly" Bruno and her first great-grandchild, Kendra Maxwell Jones at the young age of two.

Pauline frequently shared fond memories of her childhood in a close-knit Italian family growing up on South William Street in the City of Newburgh.

A graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and Spencer Business School, Pauline was an avid reader and enjoyed writing. After graduating, she was hired by the Newburgh Evening Newspaper, where she honed her writing skills. Her uncanny thirst for knowledge and keen ability to communicate placed her on a path of success in public service.

In 1951, Pauline and her husband, Herbert, moved from Newburgh to New Windsor with its then open space and pasturelands where, together, they built their family dream home on Riley Road and raised their four daughters.

The dynamic couple became involved in the small town, volunteering with the Vails Gate Volunteer Fire Department. There, Pauline was an active member and treasurer with the Ladies Auxiliary, often serving hot coffee and donuts to the firefighters after late night emergencies. She put her Italian culinary expertise to work preparing trays of sausage and peppers for the annual firefighter's fair once held at Vails Gates' five corners.

As the family grew, Pauline became involved with the Vails Gate School Parent Teachers Organization, raising funds and organizing special events. She organized a Children's Dental Hygiene Program for students. She was affiliated with the National Girl Scouts of America and was instrumental in establishing Girl Scout troops in Vails Gate.

With Pauline's journalism experience and interest in the Town of New Windsor, she was hired by the Orange County Post and later The Sentinel, to report on the New Windsor Board meetings and local activities. She soon became the "Voice of New Windsor," securing a radio news program with WGNY and WFMN, expanding her outreach of local news.

Her comprehensive and accurate reporting caught the eye of New Windsor elected officers and Pauline was appointed to the position of Deputy Town Clerk in 1965 and held the position for 12 years. In 1977, Pauline was encouraged to run for New Windsor Town Clerk. With the support of her husband, family, and community, she won the election. She proudly served the residents of New Windsor until her retirement in 1993, having served eight (8) consecutive terms in office.

Three years after her retirement, Pauline was asked to return to public service to fill a vacant Town Board position which she did and finished out the term. After a year on the Board, she ran for the position and won. She then went on to be re-elected to her seat with the New Windsor Town Board for two more terms.

While political parties and powers changed, Pauline Townsend remained a constant figure in Town Government. She was always professional, impeccably dressed and willing to serve and share her wealth of knowledge with the public and newly elected officials. She knew the Town "inside and out." She believed in bipartisanship to ensure that New Windsor was a community where all residents would want to live, prosper and grow their families.

Pauline passionately believed that as a public servant, it was her duty to be available to the residents not just during business hours but whenever and wherever her services were required. She often issued marriage licenses after hours from her kitchen table and always responded to constituents' inquiries while shopping locally.

Pauline's love for volunteering and her community continued for many years. She was active with many organizations including: St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, Friends of Hill-Hold and Brick House, Zonta International of the Lower Hudson Valley, New Windsor Women's Republican Club, New Windsor Republican Committee, Orange County Republican Committee, New York State and Orange-Sullivan Town Clerk Association, New York State Clerk's Association and New York State Association of Towns and John Maciolek American Legion Auxiliary Unit 154.

In 2001, Pauline stepped out of public life to enjoy her well-deserved retirement to spend more time with her growing family and to travel.

Pauline's greatest accomplishment and joy of her life was her family. She cherished the times spent with her family, often hosting family dinners and holiday gatherings. She especially treasured her time with her beautiful grandchildren and precious great grandchildren, reading and playing boardgames, with the hope that they would remember her love and zest for life and share their memories with future generations. - May 12, 1928 – February 24, 2026

Pauline is survived by:

Daughters: Paula M. Gorton (Thomas C.), Town of Newburgh, NY
I. Elin Warwick (Donald J.), Alva, FL
Pamela A. Townsend-Lefevre (Lucien), Enfield, CT
Lori A. Balfe, Earlton, NY

Grandchildren: Aric T. Gorton (Elizabeth), Tappan, NY
Nicole E. Gorton, Wappingers, NY
Alyssa Gorton, New York, NY
Graham T. Warwick, Enfield, CT
Christopher Townsend (Heather), Newington, CT
Sean Lefevre (Cherie), Brooklyn, CT
Brandi Lefevre, Wachula, FL
Clayton T. Balfe (Arianna), Aberdeen, ID
Pearson Balfe (Madeline), Athens, NY
Great grandchildren: Catherine, Shannon, Whitney, Clara, Cole, Gabriella, Madison E., Madison R., Jameson, Lincoln, Harper, Peyton

Pauline's family would like to thank All American Assisted Living, Enfield, CT, and Beacon Hospice Care, East Hartford, CT, for their compassionate care and to Brooks Funeral Home, Newburgh, NY, Browne Memorial Funeral Chapel, Enfield, CT, to ensure our mothers journey home was with dignity and respect.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 27th from 11:00am - 1:00pm with a service beginning at 1:00pm at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY.

In lieu of flowers, kindly honor Pauline's love for family by taking your loved ones out for a special dinner.

A private burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor, NY.

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