January 09, 1927 - September 20, 2011
Elizabeth "Betty" Harriet Turner Obituary
Elizabeth "Betty" Harriet Turner entered into rest on September 20, 2011 after a long battle with Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's disease. Betty was born at the old St. Luke's Hospital in Spokane on January 9, 1927. She attended Sheridan Elementary School, Libby Jr. High, and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1944. She grew up across from Sheridan school at 4th and Freya where her mother, Jessie E. Summerson, had a small grocery store and Betty often took her turn making deliveries or 'waiting on' kids at the penny candy counter. Betty was a 1948 graduate of Whitworth with a psychology major and speech minor. She was also senior class treasurer, an active member of Whitworth Players appearing in productions such as Barretts on Wimpole Street. Other activities included serving as secretary of the Women's Conference, participating in Alpha Kappa Chi (the town student's organization), serving as May Day Princess in 1948, and being on the WHITWORTHIAN staff. Betty taught speech and English at Leavenworth WA high school from 1948-1949 and served as director of their plays. Betty was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church; serving terms at Bethany Presbyterian, the church where she was baptized, attended Sunday school, sang in the choir, played the piano for services, and was married on December 29, 1949 to Darrell C. Turner, whom she met at Whitworth. Betty worked as a secretary in the athletic department when Darrell was attending WSC (not WSU) pursuing his pharmacy degree. Betty had a unique mink coat that Darrell had made for her during the time she and Darrell had a mink ranch on the Little Spokane River in the 1950s. After Darrell's death in 1962, Betty worked as a medical secretary, retiring in 1993. Her favorite "job" was that of office manager for Drs. Shanewise, Conaty, Danielson, J. Dunlap, Perry, and Williams. She affectionately referred to them as "her boys." Betty is survived by her daughter Diane and son in law Doug Beernink, Spokane, and her son David C. Turner and her daughter-in-law Diane of San Diego, CA. She is also survived by her Spokane grandchildren, Will, Chelsea, and Alison Beernink and great- grandson Calvin Beernink and grandchildren Joel and Emily Turner of San Diego. Betty is survived by her brother and sister in law T.J. and Susan Summerson and her sister Georgene (Josie) Patten as well as her nieces and nephews- Lynda Snell, Yakima; Mark Summerson, Pullman; Barbara Cunningham, Naperville IL; Herb Patten, San Mateo, CA; and Rich Patten, Vancouver B.C. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Darrell; her mother Jessie E. Summerson; her grandmother Hattie McKeehan, and her uncle John P. George. Graveside Service is planned for Friday, September 30 at 1 pm at Fairmont Memorial Park. Memorial services are planned for Saturday October 1, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Manito Presbyterian Church where she served as librarian, and participated in the Journey by Faith study group. Reception is to follow the services. The family suggests donation be made in Betty's name to Hospice of Spokane, Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission or to a charity of one's choice.