Obituary of Joanne M. Turner

Joanne M. Turner, 71, of Venice, whose passion for social activism and the arts was matched by her love and dedication to her husband and children, died April 27 at her home. A Celebration of Life service will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Farley Funeral Home, 265 South Nokomis Avenue, Venice. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1971 Pinebrook Road, Venice. Mrs. Turner was born on Feb 12, 1936, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of George and Marie Taylor. She graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1954. She married Wallace Turner on May 5, 1955, in Germany, where Wally was serving in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Turner survives. Other survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Theresa Turner and Jack Frazier of Kent, Wash.; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas G. and Stephanie Turner of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and three grandchildren, T. Zachary and Jake Frazier of Kent, Wash., and Meghan Marie Turner of Lawrenceville, Ga.; a sister, Mary Ellen Goellner of Raleigh, N.C. Mrs. Turner was preceded in death by a son, John D. Turner, who died in 1984. Mrs. Turner, who graduated in 1976 from Trenton State College in New Jersey, majoring in English literature and psychology, was a scholar of and vigorous advocate for issues affecting women and the elderly. She served for a decade on the national board for the Gray Panthers, including six years as vice president. She coordinated a practicum on gerontology education at Rutgers University, where she was an adjunct professor. Mrs. Turner was also a charter member of the National Older Women’s League and hosted a radio talk show in New Jersey called “Politics of Aging.” With her dynamic personality and unbending advocacy for social justice, Mrs. Turner was drawn to politics. She served on President Jimmy Carter’s national transition team. In 2004, Mrs. Turner was campaign manager for Democratic Congressional candidate Jan Schneider. She also served on the Sarasota County Commission on the Status of Women and was an election precinct clerk. During her college days, Mrs. Turner said she was deeply influence by an 18-hour course in Renaissance Studies, and she, herself, was something of a Renaissance woman. In addition to raising a family, teaching, and a vast array of government and civic service, Mrs. Turner was also an accomplished artist, specializing in sculpture. Moving with Wally, a retired American Airlines pilot, to Venice in 2001, Mrs. Turner became a patron and supporter of the Sarasota symphony, opera, theater and ballet. Previously, the couple lived in Naples, Illinois and New Jersey.