Margaret A. Turna

Margaret A. Turna 87, of Chenango Bridge, New York, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6th, 2025 with her family by her side. Born in Peckville, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Dominick Sr. and Olga Minorick York. She is survived by her son & daughter-in-law Michael & LeAnne Turna of Hillcrest, New York, grandchildren Michael and Sarah Turna, sister-in-law Joyce York, and many nieces and nephews. She graduated from Blakely High School in Peckville, Pennsylvania before earning a Bachelors degree in Economics from Marywood College in 1959. While attending Marywood College, Margaret was a bookkeeper for the family business Dom York Petroleum Company. Her teaching career started in 1959 at Chenango Forks School in Binghamton, New York. It was while teaching that she met her husband of 55 years, John P. Turna II of Chenango Forks, New York, and the two were married at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on August 18th, 1962, in Peckville, Pennsylvania. Margaret left teaching upon the birth of her firstborn son John P. Turna III and started a lifetime of selfless service to her family and community that was extraordinary. Always involved in numerous community activities and while raising her children, she began her 31-year distinguished political career in 1979 as a member of the Town of Chenango Town Board. She became Supervisor for the Town of Chenango in 1993 and with her passion for teaching unquenched, returned to part-time employment at Broome Community College from 1981 to 1999. Margaret was a charter member of the Chenango Volunteer Emergency Squad and was awarded Life Membership in both the New York State Parent Teachers Association and Chenango Volunteer Emergency Squad. Margaret was actively involved with many organizations and earned Past President of both the Nimmonsburg Rotary and the Broome County Association of Towns and Villages. She was a member of the Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study Policy Committee, the Office for the Aging Advisory Board as well as the Chenango Bridge Community Association. Margaret served on the Board of Directors for the Johnson City Senior Center until her passing. Margaret joined the Broome Community College Foundation Board in September 2012. She served as President of the Board from 2017-2019. She was elected Emeritus Director in 2020 and continued to serve and remain active until her passing. In 2013, Margaret served as a Founding Board Member and President of the BCC Housing Development Corporation. She served as President for several years and remained active as a board member until her passing.

Margaret was a dedicated member of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Binghamton, New York. Her lifelong devotion and routine practice of faith afforded her the ability to overcome the worst news a mother can receive. On March 8th, 2012, her first born 47-year-old son John P. Turna III died as unexpectedly as she did. Through unimaginable pain, she found strength within her faith, family, friends, and her beloved grandchildren Michael and Sarah to continue her journey of tremendous value to the community she faithfully served.

Margaret was a tremendous cook. Family and friends will always remember homemade ravioli, cappelletti soup, Christmas cookies, Thanksgiving pies, New Years ham and toms’ potatoes. Appetizers to accommodate the frequent gatherings to play cards or someone just stopping over. Many memories from many different foods. There is, however, one food that stood out as the epidemy of Margaret’s ability to make the world a better place. BBQ chicken was the clear winner. You may have received a container of chicken from her at Chenango Bridge Field Days while her kids, husband, and friends cooked hundreds of them. Maybe she handed one to you while raising funds for Rotary or some other community organization. However, everyone’s unquestionable all-time favorite was the barbecue chicken cooked in the “woods” in front of her house. The normal progression for a gathering in the “woods” started with cooking a couple of chickens for her family. The Pennsylvania family would be included next. A moment later, all friends and friends of friends would be invited. Lastly, the neighborhood would certainly want to enjoy a piece of BBQ chicken as well. Therefore, everyone was invited! The sounds of merriment and joy filled the Valley.

Ultimately, Margaret was a hardworking problem-solver with a kind heart that made everyone’s best better. She will be missed by everyone that knew her.

The family will receive friends at the Wm.R. Chase & Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson on Thursday, February 13th, 2025 from 5-7pm. A funeral mass will be offered on Friday, February 14th, 2025 at 10:00am at Saint Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider memorial contributions in memory of Margaret to the John P. Turna III Memorial Scholarship via http://sunybroome.edu/give or mail to: SUNY Broome Foundation, P.O. Box 1017, Binghamton, NY 13902.