Obituary of Jean Allison Turner

September 30, 1924 – Glasgow, Scotland

November 3, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Jean Allison Turner (nee Killops), of Calgary, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the age of 97 years.

Jean was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 30, 1924. During WWII, she joined the British Air Force and was stationed in England. It was there she met Thomas William Turner, who was also in the Air Force. On November 4, 1944, they were married in Newcastle on Tyne. Jean and Thomas had a son, also named Thomas, on November 10, 1945. In 1946, Jean and wee Tommy sailed from Glasgow to Canada on the Queen Mary. That was a grueling trip, but they arrived safe and sound. Here in Canada, they met up with Thomas Sr. and began working and growing their family in Alberta. Two more children followed: James Kenneth “Jimmy” Turner and Gloria Jean Turner, both of whom predeceased their mother.

Jean was heavily into the dog show world and traveled Canada and to England for shows. She was well known and admired in this circle. Jean’s daughter-in-law Dawn remembers walking into a show with her once and hearing many people saying excitedly, “There’s Jean Turner!” and “Hi Jean!” She was an expert at grooming and training, and she won many prizes for showing her own Keeshond dogs. Jean’s most memorable vacation was when she spent three months in Glasgow with her Scottish Family. She was very close with her sister Violet and had spoken of her almost every day since.

Jean is survived by her oldest son Thomas Robert Turner and daughter-in-law Dawn-Ann (Kirkpatrick) Turner, both of Calgary. She also leaves four grandchildren, Christopher Turner of British Columbia, Colleen Turner of Red Deer, Alberta, Charlie-Jean Turner of Calgary, and Stephanie Louyse Turner of Calgary; and three great-grandchildren, Ashton, Odessa and Lilly.

Jean was predeceased by her husband Thomas, her two children, Jim and Gloria Turner; her brother Robert Killops, and her sister Violet Skinner. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Jean Turner, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.