Ruth Patricia (Pat) Turner

Ruth Patricia (Pat) Turner, 91, entered eternal life on March 10, 2014.

Pat was born on Staten Island, N.Y., on July 11, 1922, to Edwin and Gertrude Harraher. She attended P.S. 45 and Curtis High School on Staten Island, where she was a cheerleader and won medals on the swim team along with many winters competing in long track speed skating in the NYC area.

After marriage to Capt. Alfred G. Turner (USAF), post World War II and living on Staten Island for several years, the Turner family moved to Akron, Ohio, where Pat volunteered in the community while raising her five children.

A career move by Al Turner brought the family of seven to Sunnyvale. While there, Pat was a volunteer docent for 25 years at Filoli Gardens in Woodside, a historic site for The National Trust for Historic Preservation. She loved the gardens and made many friends during her volunteer days.

Al Turner died in 1989, and Pat subsequently moved to Sonoma, where she had family and joined the community. Newcomers Club, Garden Club and St. Leo’s Parish were several of Pat’s many interests.

Pat loved to cook, was a voracious reader, a knitter and was a San Francisco Giants fan.

Al and Pat spent many years happily sailing their 36-foot ketch, Artemis, out on the San Francisco Bay and up the delta for summer retreats with friends and family. Her lively spirit will be carried on by her children, extended family and friends and will be remembered for her vibrant personality and love of life.

Pat was preceded in death by Alfred G. Turner and her daughter, Patricia Turner. She is survived by her four children, Michael A. Turner, of Gardnerville, Nev.; Betsy Mead (Paul), of Sonoma; Lil Turner-Mayes (Stephen), of Oceanside; and Susan M. Christensen (Cort), of Bend, Ore.; her sister, Irene (Harraher) Martinsen, of Falls Church, Va.; six grandchildren, Daniel Turner, Kate Irick, Paige and Amanda Mead; Claire and Peter Christensen; and three great-grandchildren, MacKenzie and Wiley Irick and Georgia Grace Turner.

Pat was buried on March 14, 2014, next to her husband, Al, and daughter Patti in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Los Altos.

The family kindly asks that any donations in Pat’s name be made to Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.

Arrangements cared for under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service. Inquiries can be made to them at (707) 996-3655 or by visiting their website at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.