Mari Turner Obituary

Turner, Mari Beth
PORTLAND, Ore. - Mari Beth Turner passed away peacefully the morning of February 8, 2025, with her beloved daughter, Lauren, by her side. She had been cared for in her daughter's Portland, Ore., home for the preceding 18 months with conscientious support from Providence Hospice.
Mari Beth was born in Troy, N.Y., on March 16, 1947, the only child of World War II veteran Joseph William Turner and his wife, Effie Grace Herrick. She was confirmed at the First Reformed Church of Wynantskill.
After graduating in 1965 from Troy High School, Mari Beth earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta in 1969. Mari Beth married Edward Frank in 1969 and went on to earn her Master of Arts degree in Education at SUNY Albany.
They settled in New York, where son, Greg, was born. Mari Beth was active in the congregation of the Church in the Highlands and taught preschoolers there. Lauren was born shortly before the family moved to Calabasas, Calif., which Mari Beth called home for over 40 years.
In California, Mari Beth attended Woodland Hills Community Church, the Crystal Cathedral, and California Community Church (Cal Church). For many years, she led the Prayer Team at Cal Church and was involved in Bible study groups through the Crystal Cathedral. Mari Beth was active in the Newcomers Amigos club, helping to welcome new residents to the growing community.
Mari Beth worked as a Special Education Teacher in the Las Virgenes and Los Angeles Unified School Districts until she retired in 2004.
Mari Beth loved to make jewelry, crochet, sew, practice calligraphy, paint, and draw ("Look harder; see more…"). For a time, Mari Beth even displayed and sold her beadwork at local craft fairs. She enjoyed reading, with romance novels as her favorite genre. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. The Christmas season was her favorite time of the year. Every room of her home was beautifully decorated, and family recipes were lovingly prepared in the days leading up to Christmas. The family traditions of decorating the tree and 'de-deck-ing' always included stories about cherished ornaments and memories of Christmases past. Her daughter-in-law was honored to receive a Christmas stocking that Mari Beth had exquisitely crocheted.
Mari Beth valiantly battled breast cancer and reached remission in 2017. Her faith, her friends, and her family were her stalwart support through this difficult battle. The importance of finding joy in life, despite challenges, was something Mari Beth believed in ardently. She passed this along to her children.
Remaining to cherish Mari Beth's memory are her son, Greg and his wife, Christiane; daughter, Lauren; as well as extended family, cousins, and friends spread across the country.
Preceding Mari Beth in death were her parents, Joseph and Effie (Bolly and Peg); and her beloved dogs, Shadow, a miniature Schnauzer; and Cameo, a Maltese.
Cremation arrangements were handled by Cornerstone Funeral Services. At this time, there are no immediate plans for a memorial, but her family hopes to celebrate Mari Beth in the future. Having benefited greatly from blood donations during a long hospitalization, Mari Beth would encourage anyone able to donate blood, or to make a contribution in support of their local blood bank.