Michele Liberty Turner-Blackburn

Michele Liberty Turner-Blackburn

July 4, 1964 - September 28, 2017

Michele Liberty Turner-Blackburn was born on the 4th of July 1964. The nurses wanted her mother to name her Independence Liberty, but mom thought that was a bit too much. She was a teacher, a traveler, a friend, a sister, a daughter and a wife. She lived life on her own terms, unapologetically and full of laughter and love.

Michele grew up as the middle child of three which she wore proudly as a badge of honor. Never the first to do things and always stuck watching her younger sister. Despite this she found friends and pursuits that were uniquely her own. She was active in Girl Scouts and eventually became a camp counselor. She taught herself how to sew (which she quickly learned to regret after so many requests to hem things). And she became active in the choir and drama ministry at St. Pius.

After the passing of her mother in 1994, Michele went back to school with the goal of becoming a teacher. She graduated from SDSU with her Bachelor's degree and took a job teaching social sciences at Hamilton Middle School in Long Beach. She taught at Hamilton for her entire 17 year career. Perhaps it's a cliché to talk about how many lives a teacher influences, but Michele had a way with this particular age group. She was always an advocate for the underdog and anyone who didn't feel like they quite fit in. After fighting cruelty and stigma for so much of her life it seemed fitting that she taught at the middle school level.

Michele's resilient and curious spirt fueled her passion for travel. She toured the world with her mother, sister and many friends over the years. She visited the places she taught about- Italy, France, England, Spain and throughout the United States. Michele was also fearless when it came to her love of theatre and performing. Onstage she was as funny, warm and animated as she was in real life. Michele made many friends during her theatre years and had an opportunity to play several iconic characters. Two of her favorite roles were Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie and the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (directed by sister, Tisha).

In November 2010 Michele married her best friend, Terry. It was the love she waited for her whole life. Terry was her perfect match, and together they built a life Michele had always dreamt of with a loving partner and home of their own. Although her health was declining, these were the happiest years of her life.

Michele leaves behind her sister Tisha Tumangan, brothers Michael, Scott, and Jeff Turner, father Tom Tumangan and father Tom Turner, niece Miranda and her best friend and husband, Terry Blackburn. Her compassion, humor and generosity will be missed by friends, family and all that she met.