Susan L. Turner

Susie was born on June 26, 1962 in Highland Park, Illinois. She lived a wonderful childhood in Wilmette, Illinois with her parents, Bill Turner & Carole Sue Owens as well as her sisters Betsy and Sally. In Wilmette she cultivated lifelong friendships and enjoyed many forays to Gillson Beach in the summer. She attended Logan Elementary, Wilmette Junior High and New Trier East High School.

After high school Susie attended Lawrence University where she was an All-State Soccer player majoring in philosophy and earning her teaching certification. It was at Lawrence that she met many life long friends and her future husband, Cameron Stewart James Jackson.

Susie and Cam forged a life together centered on family and education. They have two sons, Stewart and Emmett, who have been the central points of their lives. As an educator, Susie worked continuously to teach life lessons in expanding one’s knowledge in all aspects of life. History, travel, athletics,culture and food were infused in all the adventures taken by the family. Whether it was a 5 week camping trip, trips to Aruba and Jamaica, or road trips to see family, Susie relentlessly incorporated questioning and learning as she went. Susie modeled this behavior as the boys were older by continuing her education and getting a masters degree.

Susie was always active in her son's lives as evidenced by her becoming chairperson of the Parent Teacher Committee at Terrace Elementary school where the boys went to grade school. From PTC Chair, to substitute teacher to teacher Susie ended up working at Terrace Elementary for seventeen years. There she developed more life long friendships and was admired for being the person who was always willing to ask the difficult questions. Susie loved being part of the culture at Terrace and worked tirelessly to try and help young students along their paths in life.

Throughout Emmett and Stewart’s life she was their unwavering number one fan. She attended countless games over both boys' lives and even coached them along the way. Prairie Lakes, Maine West, Central Park, Illinois Wesleyan, Algonquin, West Park, Schwaben and numerous other venues became destinations. Often the trips would include a minivan stuffed with participants. More recently Susie enjoyed trips to Lyons Township to watch their son Stewart coach soccer and volleyball.

Susie’s life’s joy was watching her sons become warm, caring, loving young men who forged successful paths for themselves. She was overjoyed to welcome Marisa Opie Jackson to the family and bring a daughter into the fold. Recently, Susie was blessed with her first grandson Wayland James Jackson. She was able to spend precious time with him while continuing her battle with cancer.

The recent outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family speaks volumes about how Susie lived her life. She was warm, caring, humorous, and loyal. She was a tenaciously loving friend, mother, colleague, wife and sister. A former college athlete and educator, her life revolved around her family and caring for them deeply. As people visited Susie towards the end of her life, the themes that repeatedly came forward were that she made people feel safe, loved, and special. She lived a life filled with love, kindness and generosity. Her laughter and wit will be greatly missed but not forgotten.

In Lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to one of the below foundations Susie held close to her heart.

Jet City Coalition (https://www.thejetcitycoalition.com/donate)

District 62 Foundation (http://www.d62foundation.com/

Des Plaines Self-Help Pantry (https://www.selfhelppantry.org/)