Gaye L. Turner

Gaye L. Turner passed away at her home in Auburn, Washington on May 19, 2012 after suffering a short bout with pancreatic cancer. Gaye will be laid to rest at Mountain View cemetery in Auburn. Her parents, John and Dorothy lived on a remote ranch out of Laredo, Texas. Before it was time for the twins to be born, they traveled to McAllen, Texas where Gaye’s maternal grandparents lived so that there was available medical care. Gaye was born in McAllen in 1937, just a few minutes before her twin sister, Kaye. Gaye’s childhood was spent on several different ranches as her father moved in search of good pasture for his herd of cattle. This created a wonderful variety of childhood experiences. But an apartment or house in town was always available so the girls could have the best education possible, then out to the ranch for the weekend. Gaye graduated co-valedictorian of her high school class with her twin who had identical grade point averages. Following high school, Gaye attended the University of Texas in Austin with a major in pharmacy. She graduated SUMA CUM LAUDE from pharmacy school with additional special high honors. While attending the University of Texas, she met her soul mate, C. Warren Turner. They married in 1961 and moved to Seattle, Washington where they eventually raised their two boys. Warren worked as an engineer, while Gaye worked as a pharmacist for Group Health. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Gaye was a talented seamstress, cross country skier, outdoor adventurer, quilt maker, artist, traveler, and a wonderful mother. She was active with the Kent Seniors and a member of Kent United Methodist Church.Gaye was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy and by her husband, C. Warren Turner. She is survived by; her sister Kaye, her sister June, her brother Bay Clifton, her son William, her son Stephen, and four grandchildren. Memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 S.E. 248th St. Arrangements by Yahn & Son Funeral Home, Auburn. “Weep not – weep not. She is not dead; She’s resting in the bosom of Jesus” – James Weldon Johnson