CHAMPAIGN – Frances Dixon Bond Turquette died peacefully Nov. 6, 2007, at the home of her daughter in Batavia. The probable cause of death was heart failure.

A memorial service celebrating Mrs. Turquette's life will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008, at Channing-Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon Street, Urbana. Jeffrey Ford and Axel Gehrmann will officiate. A reception will immediately follow.

Mrs. Turquette was born Sept. 25, 1931, in Atlanta, Ga., daughter of the Rev. Sewell H. and Elizabeth Lavonia DeLay Dixon. Mrs. Turquette's first husband was Charles E. Bond of Urbana. Mrs. Turquette is survived by her beloved spouse, retired University of Illinois professor Atwell R. Turquette, whom she married on Dec. 27, 1998.

Mrs. Turquette leaves behind five children, Turner D. Bond of Columbia, Mo., Laura S. Bond-Harris of Naperville, Irene Bond Anderson of Batavia, Cynthia D. Bond of Chicago and Nelson K. Bond of Champaign. Mrs. Turquette is also survived by her five beloved grandchildren, Grayson Bond, Lindsay and Andrew Bond-Harris and August and Dixon Anderson. Mrs. Turquette's brother, Dr. Sewell H. Dixon Jr. of Kiawah Island, S.C., also survives.

Mrs. Turquette received her BA in journalism from the University of Georgia and an MA in art history from the University of Illinois. She worked as an editor for such publishing concerns as Research Press, University of Illinois Press and McGraw-Hill Books in New York City. She retired as an editor of Access magazine of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications in 1996.

Mrs. Turquette was an enthusiastic supporter of numerous local organizations. She was a founding member of Champaign-Urbana Community Theater in the 1960s. She was involved in numerous aspects of the Channing Murray Foundation, including serving on the board of governors and collaborating on a book on its history. She was an active member of AWARE (Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort).

Mrs. Turquette loved to travel, most recently visiting Rome with two of her daughters. She was an accomplished painter, photographer and singer. Two weeks before she passed away, Mrs. Turquette could be found dancing to Gypsy music in a Chicago Greek restaurant. She frequently attended Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the Lyric Opera in Chicago, as well as The Art Institute of Chicago and The Oriental Institute.

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Turquette's name to the Channing Murray Foundation and to the Rush University Medical Center (1700 W. Van Buren St., Suite 250, Chicago, IL 60612), to benefit the Heart Center for Women.

Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.