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Obituary ~ Dorothy Isabelle Turner, 1919-2010
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One of Dorothy Turner's most memorable moments was when she received a key to the Town of High Prairie in August 1998 from Mayor Diana Oliver.
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Dorothy Isabelle Turner passed away on Feb. 24, 2010, at J.B. Wood Nursing Home in High Prairie at the age of 90 years.
Dorothy always said she felt content and at home in High Prairie. Well she should, having been a resident in High Prairie since she was three months old.
She was born Dorothy MacIntyre, eldest child of Dr. Edward and Grace MacIntyre, in Winnipeg Aug. 2, 1919. Her father, Dr. MacIntyre, was in charge of the Tuxedo Military Hospital when Dorothy was born. Since the war had ended, the services of Dr. MacIntyre were no longer required at the hospital. He moved his family to High Prairie where he began his own medical practice. The family’s first home was located just west of town on what is now the Turions farm. The remained there until a drug store – clinic – surgery and home complex was built by Dr. MacIntyre in 1922. The entire complex was situated on what is now Hebert’s Motor Sports. Dorothy began working in the drug store as soon as she could see over the counter.
Dorothy remained in High Prairie until she received her high school diploma from Prairie River Consolidated. She then enrolled at Alberta College to take secretarial training. After her secretarial training, Dorothy worked in the main branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Edmonton before returning to High Prairie.
Upon returning to High Prairie, she began working at Duggan Drug Store and then she became employed at the Treasury Branch Agency. But the most memorable experiences she had on returning to High Prairie was that she met a watchmaker called Jack Turner. At least she thought that she had just met him. As it turned out, Jack had first met Dorothy when she was just three years of age and Jack was 16. It was at the High Prairie Agricultural Fair in 1922. Dorothy also worked for a short time at Royal Fruit in Peace River.
In 1952 Dorothy married Jack Turner and became a stepmother to Hugh and Marjorie Turner. Later, Dorothy and Jack had a son, John.
Life wither husband Jack brought many enjoyable experiences but one particular experience Dorothy recalled was Jack’s purchase of a Corvette. He purchased the car the first year the sports car was introduced in Canada. That year there were only nine cars ordered in the entire country and one was delivered to High Prairie at the train station.
In her spare time, Dorothy enjoyed reading, embroidery and playing polkas in waltz time on her piano. She claimed to play the piano for her amusement and others’ abusement.
Dorothy always wanted to play cribbage. She once got a perfect hand of 29, although it proved to be the most frustrating of her pastimes. Her opponent counted first, pegged out and left her unable to peg the 29.
Dorothy was a volunteer for and a member of numerous community groups during her life. She was with the CGIT, taught Sunday School, was a member of the Royal Purple, secretary for a singles club, member of the UCW, the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary and the Golden Age Club, a United Church board member, etc. Dorothy was an Eastern Star member for over 65 years.
Jack died in 1963 and left Dorothy to operate Jack’s Jewellery. Dorothy truly enjoyed meeting the public and serving her customers until 2004 when she got sick and subsequently had a stroke. While operating the store she was privileged to have some wonderful staff. She especially relished the school girls who worker for her.
Dorothy was proud to receive a key to the Town of High Prairie. She was honoured by the museum with a tea social. Dorothy was humbled when she was named an Outstanding Citizen of High Prairie.
Dorothy is survived by: her son, John Turner; sister Margaret (Harry) Harley of Wetaskiwin, AB; brother Neil (Belle) MacIntyre of Bow Island, AB; niece Deborah (nee Forshner) Dixon of Sunset House, AB; nephew Lyndon (Pam) Harley of Valmont, B.C.; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; Marjorie (John) Buck of Sherwood Park, AB; and grandchildren Garfield (Judy) Buck of Peers, AB, Cindy (Jack) Cormack of Red Deer, and Diane (Gordon) Reinich of Sherwood Park; as well as many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Dr. Edward and Grace MacIntyre; sisters Jean and Betty MacIntyre and Sarah (MacIntyre) Forshner; husband Leonard John Turner; stepson Hugh Turner; and nephews Ian and Donald Harley.
As per Dorothy’s request, only a simple cremation was performed.
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