Mary June Turner Mago

Mary June was born January 20, 1936, in Conway, AR, to the late Otto and Delma Turner. She graduated from Conway High School and went on to attend the University of Arkansas at Conway, the University of Missouri at Columbia, and Meredith College in NC. She earned her degree in teaching and in Home Economics.

Mary June is survived by her husband of 34 years, Dr. Gyula Mago, her son, Herb Schmidt (Judy) of Joplin, MO and Florida, her daughter, Danna Markoff of Raleigh, NC, and her son, Scott Schmidt of Joplin, MO. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Tyler Schmidt, Andrew Markoff (Megan), Paul Markoff, Sam Markoff, Katie Blankenship (Devin), and Taylor Anne Winters (Steve), one step-granddaughter, Shanda Scott (Kayle), and three new great-grandchildren, Nora Blankenship, Elise Winters, and Blair Scott. Survivors also include siblings Ed Turner of Tucson, AZ, and Dr. Kay Goodman of Duluth, MN, and a very special cousin, Bob Rickett of Monroe, LA.

Mary June will always be remembered as a special wife, mother , grandmother, friend, daughter, and sister, and as a giving member of her community, church, extended family, and many philanthropic organizations. She always found a quiet way to serve, never wanting to be out in front while attending to others’ needs.

Mary June was a perfectionist in all her activities, especially as they related to her family, but also in her well-known avocations as a musician, seamstress, gardener, and baker. Her children remember her love for cooking as she prepared wonderful cookies and meals for them and their friends, everyone had their favorites, and asked for them whenever holidays and special events rolled around, and she delighted in providing for their wishes. She helped children and grandchildren make puppets, put on plays, carve pumpkins, shop for parents’ birthdays and other holidays. Her culinary skills were well known at church, too, where she prepared meals for parishioners as well as visiting priests. Music was a lifelong activity as Mary June played the piano and organ at home, school, and churches throughout her life. She played the flute and piccolo in the Arkansas state orchestra and band and later learned to play several stringed instruments, including the zither. Mary June loved gardening and “rescuing” plants from almost anywhere. She grew, ate, shared, and amazed everyone with her awareness and knowledge of all growing things. Sewing and stitchery were her crowning skills. Her children and grandchildren remember that she always made THE BEST Halloween costumes and other attire for special occasions and created beautiful afghans and quilts. In recent years she learned to make vestments and altar cloths for her church, spending hours researching and sewing intricate designs by hand. Altar cloths that she created are now on display in the chapel of the USS North Carolina Battleship, in Wilmington, NC.

The family would like to thank the staff of Duke Hospice for their recent care and guidance. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC. Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 3, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1841 N. White Street, Wake Forest, NC, with burial to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.