Born Martha Sue Cooke on July 27, 1926 to Thelma Rossner Cooke and Sidney M. Cooke, she was a graduate of Bryant Grade School and Notre Dame de Sion before she left to attend Middlebury College and begin a life of adventure and travel.
Sue had the gift of making friends wherever she went. She brought warmth, curiosity, and a trust in the best of others to every human interaction, no matter how small. She richly earned the adoration of many–-including her seven children--with her playful sense of humor and steadfast love and loyalty. Family and friendships were the nexus of her life.
Before marriage Sue worked for a year and a half in Heidelberg, Germany as a Recreational Director for the U.S. Army. During that time, she delighted in traveling around Europe and reconnecting with her college sweetheart, Thomas Philson (Phil) Turnbull. In 1953 they married in Kansas City, returning afterwards to Heidelberg where Phil was employed by the American Express Company. Other assignments over Phil’s 35 years with the company took them to Boston, Dallas, Pasadena, Frankfurt, London, Scotch Plains, NJ, Montreal and Denver. Their seven children made their entrances into the world in four different cities. When Phil retired they returned to Kansas City in 1986 where for 23 years Sue relished reconnecting with family and childhood friends, all the while earning new fans with her graciousness and understated charm.
Sue enjoyed participating in many social and charitable activities over the years. She was a Belle Of The American Royal (BOTAR) shortly after college. In Denver she was an enthusiastic member of the International Women’s Club. In Kansas City she belonged to the Ladies of Charity, the Women’s Council of UMKC, and the Phi Beta Phi Alumnae Association. She loved the camaraderie and stimulation of the 81 Club study group and was a member of the Rockhill Tennis Club.
Sue was predeceased by her husband in 2003. She leaves her seven children and their spouses: Emily (Hector Cornejo) of Alameda, CA, Nancy (Megan Dobroth) of Brookline, MA, Tom (Ann) of Plainfi eld, NJ, K.C. (Daniel Bergman) of Brookline, MA, John of Scotch Plains, NJ, Tim of San Francisco, CA, and Martha (Chris Higgins) of Boston, MA. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and her beloved eight grandchildren: Annie, Jack, Josh, Lia, Liam, Marleigh, Michaela, and Tracy, and one long-awaited great-grandchild, Addison. Sue was predeceased by her brothers Thornton (Joni) and Sidney (Barbara), both of Kansas City, and is survived by her brothers Tom (Debbie) and Jerry (Helen), also of Kansas City.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Visitation Church on Tuesday, December 12th at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at 10:00 am. A private burial will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery South. The service will be livestreamed on the Church website (see link below).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to miraclemessages.org or another organization serving people experiencing homelessness.
