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FLORENCE: Memorial service set for Allentown High senior

By Amber Cox, The Packet Group
   FLORENCE — Memorial services for Allentown High School senior Sarah Townsend will be held Sunday evening at the Florence United Methodist Church where she was baptized and had attended preschool.
   Mourners will gather from 5 to 6 p.m. The 6 p.m. service will be followed by a reception at the church, 209 Broad St.
   Sarah’s body was found in Sherman’s Pond, Burlington Township, on Friday afternoon by the New Jersey State Police Canine Unit.
   The Florence teenager went missing May 9, and was last seen by her parents at 7 a.m. when she was leaving for school. Her car was later discovered, still running with the driver’s door open, purse and cell phone inside, by her boyfriend, Matt Welsh, at 10 a.m. at Green Acres Park near Sherman’s Pond.
   ”It’s unreal,” said Sarah’s father, Roy Townsend. “I believe I was blessed with her for 18 years. She’s my angel.”
   A large search ensued May 9 after Sarah’s car was discovered at the park. Full-day searches May 9 and 10 turned up no evidence. The search of the area was called off May 12, but police decided to try another search, without volunteers but with the canine unit, in an effort to get some evidence.
   During the initial search more than 100 people, along with tracking dogs, were helping. A helicopter from the New Jersey State Police also was used to do an overhead search of the large area.
   Police have confirmed that they were worried Sarah might have harmed herself and that a note was found in her vehicle, but they would not comment on its contents.
   Mr. Townsend said so many people have done good things for his family and that Sarah brought the community together.
   A Facebook page, “Find Sarah Townsend! Invite Everyone!” was created the night of her disappearance and has more than 14,000 members from all over the United States and other countries.
   A number of memorial pages also were set up and the member count keeps growing. A page also was created to “Support Matt Welsh” after a number of speculations rose after he discovered Sarah’s car.
   ”Matt is devastated,” Mr. Townsend said. “We can’t imagine how this is for him.”
   An autopsy determined that Sarah’s death was caused by drowning. There were no signs of trauma to her body and no indications that foul play contributed to her death, according to Burlington County Medical Examiner Ian Hood. The final autopsy determination is pending the results of toxicology tests, which will take several weeks.
   Although a resident of Florence in Burlington County, Sarah, 18, attended Allentown High School as a tuition student because her father is employed in the Upper Freehold Regional district, which offers available spaces to the children of employees.
   Superintendent Richard Fitzpatrick said the tragedy is doubly difficult because it involves both a student and an employee.
   ”Our hearts ache for him (Roy Townsend),” Dr. Fitzpatrick said Monday. “Everyone knows Roy and has a close affection for him. We knew Sarah as a student here, and also as Roy’s daughter. He was so proud of her and her accomplishments.”
   Dr. Fitzpatrick said Sarah was a successful student and that the mood at the high school was “very somber.”
   ”There’s obviously a deep concern on the part of students and staff for Sarah’s family,” he said.
   Dr. Fitzpatrick said counseling is available for any student who feels the need to talk. The high school administration was set to hold a parent information session Wednesday to share “information about the school’s response to the events of last week and strategies to assist all of us in helping out children cope with tragic loss.”
   A vigil that was originally planned for Monday, May 16, was postponed at the request of Sarah’s parents so they would be able to participate. The new date has not yet been set.
   A memorial fund has been set up in Sarah’s honor and those wishing to donate can do so by visiting www.facebook.com/sarahtownsendmemorialfund and follow the PayPal account link. Anyone also can visit any Roma Bank and mention the memorial fund to send a donation through the bank.
Staff writer Joanne Degnan contributed to this story.