Dorothy Lou Boyer Turner passed away on April 18, 2022

TURNER—Dorothy Lou Boyer Turner passed away with her family by her side on April 18, 2022, in Portland, Ore.

Dottie, as she was known by her friends, was born May 16, 1924, in Greenville, Ohio, daughter to Jacob Maurer Boyer and Lula Viola Witwer and beloved sister of Betty Jean Johnson.

Dottie had a caring spirit that led her to nursing school in Cincinnati.

As a cadet nurse during WWII, she met her sweetheart and husband of 65 years, Amos Joseph “Joe” Turner. Together, they joyfully raised their children Steve, Sally, Jean, John, Bill, and Mary in Hammond, Ind., and New Lenox, Ill.

Dottie was a classically trained pianist who also sang in church choirs and community groups throughout her life. It was truly a home and family life full of music and love. Dottie enjoyed gathering family and friends together for games and laughter. On any given day, she would be found engaged in a game with Joe or one of her grandchildren, playing Scrabble well into her 90s.

A passionate gardener, Dottie always filled her yard and home with colorful flowers. She also possessed an intense love for nature, a love that she passed on to all her children.

Dottie and Joe happily retired to Isles of Capri, Fla., spending their days boating, fishing, bicycling, traveling and welcoming family and friends to warm weather vacations. She loved preparing picnics for evening sunset cruises on the Gulf of Mexico to catch the “green flash,” a rare and magical burst of green light as the sun slips just below the horizon.

Dottie and Joe then moved to Florence, Ore., to be closer to their West Coast children’s families.

Dottie sang in the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw’s choir and would take grandchildren crabbing, playing on the sand dunes and hiking to nearby waterfalls. She played endless games and loved sharing her “dress up” box with her granddaughters.

Dottie was passionately proud of her 11 grandchildren and one great grandson, and surrounded her home with framed photos of them all.

Dottie, mom, grandma, “Mymy” was always described as “the nicest person you will ever know” and carried a positive attitude with her throughout her life. Thoughtful, kind, independent, always smiling and ready to take on any adventure with abandon. She will be desperately missed but her positive spirit will live on in us all. Dottie was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the Woahink Lake Meeting Hall in Florence, Ore. Dottie will be joined with her beloved Joe in a private ceremony and sent adrift to sea, where the “green flash” ocean sunset will welcome them home.

Remembrances can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.