Obituary of Ruth Turner

Ruth R. Turner, a Registered Nurse, who specialized in Pediatrics, passed away at the Winchester Hospital with her family by her side on Thursday, February 17, 2011. She was 66 years old. Ruth was born in Tewksbury and grew up in Lawrence. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Lawrence. She earned her Nursing Degree from Lawrence General Hospital School of Nursing. Her nursing career spanned 40 years and included positions at Los Angeles County Hospital in California, and Massachusetts General Hospital and Children's Hospital in Boston. She experienced different aspects of nursing and found caring for children to be most rewarding. In her retirement years, she enjoyed volunteer nursing for the Town of Burlington. Ruth was a free spirit whose interests were quite diverse. She was actively involved in St. Mark's Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Reunion Committee at Lawrence General Hospital School of Nursing. She was a member of a Book Club in Burlington. She loved family vacations in Ogunquit, Maine. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, especially if the destinations were warm and near an ocean or a lake. Some of her favorite destinations included such far flung places as the United Kingdom, Australia, Barbados, Aruba, Bermuda, and many other Caribbean destinations. She had a great love of animals, especially cats, and was a faithful supporter of animal charities. Ruth's devotion to her family was always evident in her daily life. Her warmth, understanding, wittiness, and humor brought a sense of joie de vivre to her family. She especially enjoyed her time with her late Uncle Dante Stabile of Florida. Her extended family in the UK have fond memories of Ruth's unique approach to modern household appliances. Her brother-in-law Derek coined the term “Ruthised” to describe the non-functioning equipment which had the misfortune to come within her grasp! Although normally a slow walker, her ability to disappear when in the vicinity of charity shops was the talking point of her family in the UK. She made simple everyday events special and fun. Her home was filled with laughter and lasting memories. She was the devoted wife of, and friend to her husband Adrian for 40 years. She was a wonderful mother to Justin and Caitlin. Most recently, she found great joy in being a grandmother. She adored and spoiled her granddaughter, Emily. As time goes on, memories of Ruth will most definitely bring smiles to the faces of those who knew and loved her. She enhanced the lives of everyone with whom she came into contact. Ruth was the beloved wife of Adrian Turner. She was the loving mother of Justin Turner & his wife Juliette of N. Billerica and Caitlin Turner McAuliffe & her husband Michael McAuliffe of Des Moines, IA. She was the devoted grandmother of Emily Elizabeth Turner. Ruth was also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, February 23 from 6-8 pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 10 St. Mark's Road, Burlington on Thursday at 10 am. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. Memorials in Ruth's name may be made to St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59004, www.stlabre.org or the MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, www.MSPCA.org For directions, obituary & on line guest book see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.saintmarksburlington.org