Portland- Beatrice Eleanor Garsoe Turner, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 24, 2020 after a short illness. Bea was born on August 22, 1930 in Portland, Maine and had recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family this summer.
Bea was known as a fun-loving friend with a good sense of humor. Growing up in Maine she enjoyed the ocean, playing the saxophone, dabbled on the piano and enjoyed cooking and reading. Bea moved from Portland, Maine to attend Nyack College, (formerly known as Nyack Missionary College) in 1950 to study Christian Education. She enjoyed working in the college library and later received her certificate in Library Science from Rutgers University.
While working at Nyack after graduating, she met a young man Edward Turner, who later became her husband. Ed hailed from Rochester, NY and worked in the college Accounting Office as a Bills Receivable Clerk after spending 2 years in the United States Army.
Bea and Ed married on August 11, 1956 and had been married for 64 years at the time of Bea’s death.
Bea was a gifted administrative assistant with excellent organizational, typing and writing skills. She held many positions at Nyack College over the years, including Assistant Librarian, Faculty Secretary, Secretary to the Music Department, and as an Administrative Assistant in the Registrar’s Office. Bea was very active in her church over the years, serving God in Children’s Ministry as a Sunday School teacher to Pre-Schoolers in Pearl River, NY and later in Portland, Maine.
Bea was an active learner and at age 85, she and Ed began French language classes to help them communicate with their African friends and neighbors. They were never too old to impact the lives of others and always did so in a generous and servant hearted way. Bea was known to show her love for you with food- often heaping large portions of homemade food on your plate without your permission! Bea enjoyed her garden and the flowers and trees in her yard and loved to show off her favorite and very fragrant “Double Delight” rose to others.
Bea attended countless college music recitals over the years, showing support to the plethora of music students she came to know and love throughout her years as Music Department Secretary.
Bea was a devoted wife to Ed and mother to Heidi (James) Keller of Carlisle, PA and Stephen (Beth) Turner of Ooltewah, TN. Bea leaves behind one sister, Carolyn Bowen of Falmouth, ME whom she greatly enjoyed spending time with. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren who loved her very much; Bradley (Jenna) Morris of Carlisle, PA; Brittany (Pierce) Caldwell of Lynchburg, VA; Thomas (Tina) Keller of Carlisle, PA; Daniel (Sarah) Keller of Coxs Creek, KY; Aaron (Alexa) Keller of Lebanon, PA; Erin Turner and Joel Turner of Ooltewah, TN, and 4 great grandchildren.
Due to Coronavirus guidelines, a private funeral service by invitation only will be held on Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. Interment will be private for the family only at Blanchard Cemetery in Falmouth. Both services will be live-streamed starting at 11 am on Wednesday for the many friends and family who are unable to travel during this time. They can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/jonesrichbarnes/
Donations in memory of Bea can be made to: North Deering Alliance Church, 1301 Washington Avenue, Portland, ME, 04103.
