Betty Isobel Turner

July 31, 1925 - July 17, 2024

Passed peacefully after a brief stay in hospital, two weeks away from her 99th birthday.

Predeceased in 2001 by her husband Jim (W.J. Turner).

Survived by her 6 children: Mary (Gord), Ken, Rick (Nancy), Jean (Dan), Frank (Lianne), and Trish (Colin)

Missed by 16 Grandchildren: Jason, Justin, Jamie, Joey, Dallas, Will, Emma, Kim, Drue, Dylan, Cole, Travis, Carlee, Kristen, Brendan and Erin.

Her 13 Great Grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sisters in law Carol and Sheila, will all remember her with love.

Betty was one of four children born to British parents, James Stanley Copp and Jane Mills, in Spanish Town Jamaica. Betty’s three brothers, Stephan, Jack and Geoff all predeceased Betty.

Betty spent her first twenty years in Jamaica, and left in 1945 to go to Canada at the end of WW 2. In an interesting parallel, her mother had travelled from England to Jamaica to marry Stanley Copp, on the first boat leaving England after WW 1.

In Canada, mum stayed with her aunt and uncle, James and Francis Mills in Pickering. Her uncle introduced her to two girls living nearby, Jessie and Betty France.

When the troops returned from the war, mum and Jessie France met brothers, Jim and Cec Turner. The two couples spent many hours going to dances together and both couples married in 1947, Jim and Betty married on November 15, 1947.

Jim and Betty went on to have 6 children over the next 11 years and remained committed to raising those 6 children.

Betty worked for Shulton Canada on the Order Desk, she was also an Avon representative and Girl Guide leader for many years.

Betty and Jim were experienced sailors, spending many pleasurable years sailing and socializing with friends at Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club.

When retired from their day jobs, Betty and Jim started spending summers at Lilac Lodge in Bobcaygeon and winters in Florida. They enjoyed 25 years as “snowbirds”, with Jim flying radio-controlled aircraft and Betty walking the beaches to begin her love affair with shells.

Over their time in Florida, Betty was a member of three shell clubs, learning, collecting and crafting the many varieties of shells which made their way to Canada in an unbelievable abundance, as family, we received many of her special selections over the years.

Betty was an artist and crafter (painting, ceramics, crocheting, knitting, Swedish weaving and shell craft items) to provide gifts to us over the years…she always made or bought items in groups of 6 for her 6 children.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Sunday September 15, 2024 from 2pm -5pm at Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club located at 635 Breezy Drive Pickering.

Betty will be missed by her many family and friends.

She will be missed the most by the “original 6”.

Rest now mum.