Obituary of Mary Ann Turner

Mary A. Turner, of Biggs, California, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019 after a three month battle with lung and heart disease.  Born in Oroville, CA, in June, 1944 to Vern and Opal Brown. 

Mary was an avid gardener, loved painting ceramics, and making flower arrangements.  Her green thumb was admired by all when they would visit her yard of lush greenery and bright beautiful flowers.  She was a strong and independent person who did not let her physical disabilities stop her. She can be remembered for helping keep the Gridley Flower Garden full of flowers during the fair and she always encouraged local kids to enter their arrangements in the annual competition. 

She was a huge advocate of the Barry Kirshner Wildlife Foundation.  Her love of protecting the unique animals that could not protect themselves, gave her the drive to help support the foundation.

Mary got married to her husband Bill in January 1962 after a very short courtship.  You can say it was ‘love at first sight”.  She was a devoted wife for 57 years.  They have lived in Biggs for the past 40 years.  Mary worked for the Social Security Office for over twenty of those years.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Turner of Biggs, daughter Elaine and Mike Tade of Georgia, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.    Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Opal Brown, father, Vernon M. Brown, sister, Shirley Allee, and daughter Penny David.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Barry Kirshner Wildlife Foundation and mailed to PO Box 841, Durham CA 94938.  At her request, no services will be held.