Shirley England Turner, 89, died peacefully at home on October 21, 2024. She was born on June 6, 1935, to Ervin "Buster" and Marie Rose Dorella "Dora" (nee Lagere) England.

Shirley was the third of four girls. At age 19 she married the love of her life, James Edward Turner Sr. Together they raised five children: James Turner Jr. (Natalie), Jane Crum (David), Jeffrey Turner (Christine), Judith Siegel, and Jay Turner. Shirley and Jim raised their family in Wappingers Falls, NY where Jim worked for IBM. They both valued education and encouraged all five children to attend college. Impressively, Shirley completed nursing school while the five children were still young, and she subsequently worked in pediatrics at St. Francis hospital for several years where she made close friends. Later in life, she had some jewelry stolen and it was her cherished nursing pin that she missed the most. Shirley and Jim eventually retired to Florida.

Shirley and Jim were competitive bridge players and Shirley continued to play until just a couple months before her passing. Having shared her joy of card playing, her family will cherish the memories of endless card games at family gatherings. In her later years she was enthralled by children – lovingly engaging with her great-children and stopping in restaurants as she passed a young girl to compliment her beautiful hair or to tease a boy about stealing his french fries. She laughed easily and teased often.

Shirley enjoyed watching football. Having lived in New York state for many years, she rooted for several New York teams including Joe Namath and the Jets and later Eli Manning and the Giants. She had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed travelling and cruising. After the kids were grown, her adventures including moving often – having lived in more than 20 houses. No matter where she lived, she enjoyed going "home" to Maine for family reunions which were described as "very big, loud, happy parties." Her family will miss her annual almond cake and vow to recreate it and pass it to future generations.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two sisters (Phyllis Elliot and Marilyn Samuell). She is survived by and fondly remembered by her five children and their spouses and her grandchildren; Adam Turner (Stacy), Kyle Winters (Shellsea), Hannah Werno (Michael), Samuel Turner, Nolan Winters, Timothy Crum, Michael Crum (Lauren), Adrian Crum (Rachel), Jana Church (Aijalon), Joshua Turner, Sarah Schuck (Martin), Rachel McLaughlin (Andrew), Rebecca Record (Scott), and 20 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and her sister Barbara Hughes.

A private celebration of life will be held with the family.

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