MARY ISABELLE (MAYBELLE) TURNER (O'FARRELL)

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MARY ISABELLE (MAYBELLE) TURNER (nee O'FARRELL) It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mom's sudden but peaceful passing at the age of 87 years, on Monday, March 26, 2012, at Victoria General Hospital. Beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and sister-in-law, she was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Gerald Cecil Turner in 1999. She is survived by her children Susan, Naureen, Faye, Tim (Susan), Tom (Patti Jefferies), and Chris (Kim) and her beloved grandchildren Reagan (Jeff Hein), Kaitlin, Stefanie (Zach Degner), Sandra (Jean Claude Lemoine), Bentley and Tate. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Velma O'Farrell and Frances Turner, as well as many nieces and nephews, each cherished by her. Mom was born, April 27, 1924 and raised in Ottawa where she met and married the love of her life Gerry, on Valentine's Day, 1954. She would then proceed to follow Gerry about Canada and the United States, from large cities to remote Northern communities, as he pursued his career in civil engineering. They would move 21 times in the first 20 years of marriage and bring six children into the world along the way. The family finally settled in Winnipeg in the early 1970s and roots were firmly planted in Southdale. Mom became actively involved in church and the community, serving on the St. Paul's High School Parents Guild for many years and teaching catechism. She and Gerry were active members at the Wildewood Golf Club and Mary continued this pursuit after Gerry could not, with her fellow lady friends, of whom she spoke fondly and who referred to her as the Kid in their group. Mom worked hard to establish herself as the Queen Mother of the family and pursued many hobbies including reading, knitting, ceramics, and even took a writing class in her later years. Most recently, she was thrilled to work on receiving blankets in anticipation of the arrival of her first great-grandchild. She shared the fruits of her labours with all and was famous for her Sunday roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinners and Christmas brunches and dinners that all greatly enjoyed. She was a great cook and would share her secrets if you asked hard enough. Mom was a deeply devoted Catholic and was never short on friends as she was never shy about speaking to anyone and everyone. She didn't mince her words and you always knew where you stood with her. She would tell you exactly what she thought, whether you liked it or not but always managed to do it with a smile. Her laugh was one that drew you into her circle for the rest of your life: hearty, infectious and unforgettable. If you asked her how things were, the response was always that everything is copasetic , one of her favourite sayings even as her health failed in later years. We know she has been welcomed enthusiastically by those who travelled this road before her and we know they have missed her as much as we will. The family wishes to thank Dr. Casey Woo for his care and compassion in looking after Mom, as well as the staff of the St. Boniface and Victoria Hospitals who gave us more time to prepare for her final journey. Services will be held at Mom's parish of the last 39 years, St. Bernadette's, 820 Cottonwood Road, Windsor Park, on Monday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. with her friend Father Fred Olds presiding. Viewing will be held Sunday, April 1 between 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Hwy. 1 East at Navin Rd. Private interment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 (www.heartandstroke.mb.ca). Rest well Mom. Give our love to Dad. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery (204) 222-3241 Condolences may be sent to www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2012