Hilda Cecilia Townsend

Hilda C. Townsend passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 19, 2026. She was ninety years old. Being ninety was an achievement Hilda was equally proud and in awe of. The last year of her life she frequently shared with friends, family, and acquaintances “I’m ninety years old. Can you believe it?”
Hilda was born in the mountain town of Jayuya, Puerto Rico on October 9, 1935, to Aser and Juanita DePaz. She was the middle of five children and was fortunate to grow up in a family bound by love and faith. Hilda was a bit of a rebel growing up. She was not afraid to ask questions of those in authority as well as question their answers. These traits led her to be a risk taker as well, choosing to seek out and accept opportunities outside of the comfort of the beautiful island she loved.
Upon graduating from the University of Puerto Rico in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition, Hilda left Puerto Rico to accept an internship at Oklahoma State University. This was the final step to complete her desire to become a registered dietician. This was a bold move for a young woman in her early twenties and it challenged what was expected of her both in her culture and as a woman at that time in history. She was always grateful for the foundation she grew up with in her family that valued education and its pursuit.
After completing her internship, she made the decision to decline an opportunity at OSU to come to Colorado to be closer to her sister Carmen, and her husband who at the time were stationed at Fitzimmons Army Medical Center where he was a surgeon. That decision eventually brought her to Fort Collins for a job opportunity at Colorado State University and to further her education.
This decision worked out really well for her descendants as this was where she met her future husband and love of her life, Charley Townsend. Charley was a plant geneticist working as a research scientist for the US Department of Agriculture. Hilda and Charley met on a blind date orchestrated by two of their friends that were dating. They were married on June 27, 1959 and were happily married for 48 years until Charley’s passing in 2007. Remarkable culmination of a young woman from Puerto Rico meeting a Kansas farm boy in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1958.
While married and raising her daughter Cindy, Hilda stayed active in both her career and community.
She worked as a dietician for Colorado State University and Larimer County Hospital. She worked teaching nutrition and home economics through various organizations such as the Volunteer Clearing House and Elizabeth Stone Resource Center. She also spent two summers on reservations in both Wyoming and South Dakota working with families to facilitate nutritional knowledge, health, and awareness. In addition, she also worked with the Northern Colorado Migrant Council establishing relationships with migrant families and supporting their health and nutrition needs. She also worked for Front Range Community College as a part of their Spirit Program where she helped single parents achieve their GED requirements and become gainfully employed to support their families. She was part of the FRCC team that was recognized for outstanding contributions to single parents by The Women’s Center of Larimer County in 2001.
Hilda also served as a board member for The United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and The Alonzo Martinez Scholarship Fund.
In their retirement Hilda and Charley loved to travel. They visited most of the continental US and Hawaiian Islands. They traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Italy, Canada and Mexico. They also spent time in Australia and New Zealand (one of Hilda’s favorites).
Despite all of her accomplishments and travels what Hilda really loved was being a grandma to her two grandsons, Kellen and Holden. She helped care for them as young children, was an avid attendee at school and sporting events, and helped them achieve their academic goals into adulthood.
Hilda led a full and accomplished life. She is survived by her daughter Cindy Townsend Sakala and son-in-law Criss Sakala, grandson Kellen Sakala and his wife Gicela Chen, grandson Holden Sakala and his wife Kati Maselli. She is also survived by her sisters Carmen Rodriguez and Millie Rovira, and brother Bernardo DePaz.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charley, her parents Aser and Juanita DePaz, and brother Aser “Cherry” DePaz. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews that she cared deeply for.
Hilda’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff, residents and their families at MorningStar Senior Living at Old Town Fort Collins. Their care, love, and friendship will always be remembered. Her family is also thankful for the care and guidance provided by Bristol Hospice during the last months of Hilda’s life. Their support of Hilda and her family is greatly appreciated.
Hilda will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered with love, laughter, the memories she helped create, and her favorite traditional celebratory toast “Salud, dinero, y amor”.