Obituary of Donna - Fay Jean Turner

Donna-Fay Jean Turner (Jan 3, 1939 - July 11, 2019) It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Donna on July 11, 2019 at the age of 80. She passed peacefully in the Palliative Care unit at the Invermere Hospital. Donna was born and raised in Cranbrook and was always surrounded by family. She attended grade school throughout her early years and after graduation she moved to Calgary and attended Mount Royal College. After graduation she returned to Cranbrook where she worked in many different jobs including Gulf Oil, the Cranbrook Post Office, and in her later years with SD 5 as a noon-hour and bus Supervisor. In 1967 Donna married her loving husband Darwin and raised their boys Donald and Darryl in the community of Cranbrook being actively involved in Scouts, Minor Hockey, Minor Ball and finding time to hunt, motorbike and camp. Donna was always very active, being a member of the local Race Car Club, the Cranbrook Snowmobile Association and the Kimberley Golf & Country Club to name a few. Donna loved dancing, camping, travelling but most of all loved being around family and friends. Donna and Darwin moved to Oliver BC in 2008 before moving back to Cranbrook in 2014. During this time Donna started to have some health issues and it was determined that she had Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). PSP is a rare neurodegenerative disease that develops because of the deterioration of brain cells leading to loss of balance, inability to walk, falling spells, stiffness, loss of speech, and eventually loss of ability to swallow. As a result of declining health, Donna and Darwin moved to Columbia Garden Village in Invermere in 2015. Donna spent her last four years at CGV. During those years, looking after Darwin and battling her own health issues, Donna still found a way to enjoy each and every day and make a noticeable impression on the staff and residents of CGV. Everyone knew Donna and it was inspiring to see her embrace the daily challenges that she faced. She will be missed by many. To the staff at Ivy House, that helped care for Donna during the last few years, the family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude for the special care that was given to her. Donna is lovingly remembered and survived by Sons, Darryl Turner (Jennifer), Donald Turner (Lori) & Daughter, Lorrie Mills (Dan), 8 Grandchildren, 4 Great Grandchildren, Brother, Gordon Laidlaw (Margaret), Sisters - Shirley Marcellus (Aubrey), Gail Bellamy, Several nephews and nieces. Donna is predeceased by her Parents, Alex & Lillian Laidlaw, her loving husband Darwin Turner (passed July 4, 2016) Brothers-in-Law, Doug Turner, Ed Perrin, Ian Bellamy, Sister's in law Inga Turner, Claudia Perrin and her nephew Clayton Perrin. There will be a service held at McPherson Funeral Service Chapel in Cranbrook on Monday July 29, 2019 at 10:00 am. Reception to follow the graveside ceremony at Laidlaw residence 1316 - 16th St. Cranbrook B.C. Donations in Donna's honor may be made to the diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/donate. Or National Institute of neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com