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Barbara TURNER Obituary

Dr. Barbara Turner passed away on 1/28/13 at the age of 58 after a long battle with breast cancer. She died in her home with her family by her side, having fought valiantly and gracefully since 2006. Barbara practiced family medicine in Sonoma County since 1995, prior to that she had been at Benicia Family Medicine since 1991. She loved being a doctor for families, having cared for numerous patients from their birth delivery to their adulthood, and from adulthood to their senior years. She was ever compassionate and loving with everyone she treated and never lost enthusiasm for her life's work. It was truly her passion. Barbara grew up in Bloomfield Hills, MI, the youngest of three girls. She came from a family of medical professionals on both her mother's and father's side of the family. Her father, Dr Stanley Turner, her grandfather, and three maternal uncles practiced medicine. Her mother, Letitia Turner, and a maternal aunt were nurses. Barbara was a member of her high school diving team, loved to ski, and was an avid and lifelong football fan. Following high school she attended the University of Michigan. Barbara graduated from the U of M with a bachelor's degree in 1976, the same year she entered the UC Santa Barbara Speech Pathology program. She received her MS in Speech Pathology in 1978 and then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she worked for several years in this field. In 1983 she entered the UC Irvine School of Medicine where she then earned her MD in 1987. Barbara did her residency at Contra Costa County Merrithew Hospital from 1987 to 1991 Barbara met her future husband Steve in San Francisco in 1980, and the two fell in love and were married in 1984. They had their son, Ryan, in 1990. The family decided on Sonoma County as a place to put down roots and have been residents of Santa Rosa since 1995. She has been a 49ers season ticket holder since 1980 and it was only her illness that finally kept her from attending home games. Barbara loved travel, her European Cruise in 2010 being the high point. She was an avid reader and was never without a book. She was a cat lover and always had at least one cat as a member of the family, often two. Barbara regaled in hosting parties and dinners and always looked forward to putting on her office Christmas party every year. Barbara has made friends wherever she lived, some going back to childhood, and has maintained these friendships to the end. She treasured her close relationships with colleagues and never tired of "talking medicine". She equally loved talking sports with her son, Ryan. Barbara never missed someone's birthday and was so generous with gifts, time and attention. She was loved and will be missed by so many, and she has loved each and every one in return. Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Steve O'Rourke, and her adoring son, Ryan Turner O'Rourke; her sister Susan of Atlanta, GA; her father Dr. Stanley Turner and her stepmother Dr. Karen Turner of Hilton Head, SC. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Letitia Turner, and her sister Patricia Gianetti. She is also survived by numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, grand nephews and grand nieces, and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly. A service will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes, 2601 Santa Rosa Ave, on Sunday, 2/10/13 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Published by Press Democrat from Feb. 2 to Feb. 5, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Dr Turner was my physician from the time I moved to Santa Rosa in 1999 as a recommendation form a co-worker. She also treated my husband in his final years. When she "retired" form practice I was very sad as our relationship was more than just patient/doctor. I am walking in the Susan G Komen 3 day walk supporting breast cancer research this year and will add her name to the list of many I hope to honor and remember by walking the 60 miles. My thoughts and prayers go out to all her friends and family.

Linda Karnstedt

February 18, 2013

Dr. Turner healed me through many physical struggles with gentleness and great compassion. She always was most genrous with her time. My first visit with her was more then 45 minutes long. Even after my heart attach at the end of 2009, when she was ill herself, she listened and cared and was fully empathetic. We never knew about the cancer -- only the foot injury that wouldn't heal right. Yet, even with that pain, and the cancer inside, she continued to serve and love and heal. Many blessings to the family. Jim and I will always remember her fondly. Thank God for Dr. Turner.

Diane Tomczak

February 10, 2013

Dr. Turner was a kind loving women who brought joy to everyone.
She will be deeply missed.

Carrie Wells

February 8, 2013

Rest in peace

Terry Leanio

February 6, 2013

You will be missed. I loved talking to you at Curves. You were the best dr ever. May you rest in peace. No more illness you are an angel.

Terry Leanio

February 6, 2013

My heart is breaking for this loss. Dr. Turner was my doctor and she made such a difference in my life on so many levels. When I found out she had retired due to illness, I wrote her a letter telling her what she meant to me. I hope she knew what a difference she made in my and so many other lives. Love and light to her family from mine. This community lost a wonderful person and she deserved more than 58 years on this earth.

Jeannine Thomas

February 5, 2013

A wonderful, compassionate doctor, who was not afraid to spend more than 15 minutes with me when I needed it. Much sympathy to her family.

Melanie Daugherty

February 4, 2013

Dr.Barbara Lee Turner,
You are rested in peace with our heavenly God. And here we are as you touch our hearts and guide us from above.
Love, Faith,(CNA)SRMH

Love, Faith (SRMH)

February 3, 2013

Dr.Barbara Lee Turner,
You are rested in peace with our heavenly God. And here we are as you touch are hearts and guides us from above. Love,Faith (CNA)SRMH

Love Faith

February 3, 2013

DR. TURNER was a wonderful doctor, may God Bless her family thru this difficult time.

Julie Pigsley

February 3, 2013

Dr. Turner took care of me for several years. She was a compassion doctor and a charming person. Thank you and RIP Dr. Turner. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Turner's loved ones.

Jan Pieraccini

February 3, 2013

Dr. Turner truly cared for her patients, she was like a friend and would listen to you and your problems. Loved her bed-side manor. We have lost a great family doctor.

Georgia Guglielmini

February 3, 2013

I will never forget Dr. Turner's compassion, honesty and care. My sympathy and prayers to all who were touched by such a special woman ~ Thank you Barbara ~

Karen Wilson

February 3, 2013

Dr. Turner saw me through my own cancer as she always listened and met me where I needed to be. She was the kinds of doctor who sat knee to knee and I felt was a great healer. During my difficult times, once when I wanted to end my life, she said all the right words to be able to share with all her loved her in her guest book. She did AiDS work early in her practice as I was doing when I met her. She was so encouraging and helpful to those early days in the epidemic. She never once told me of her cancer, but she always. always touched my heart giving me courage to live my life fully.

Carol Owens

February 2, 2013

Dr. Barbra Turner was the most selfless, kindest,courages, and loving person I have ever known. She was a blessing to all those who knew her.

She was a source of inspiration for me. I will never forget her.

To Her Family:
It's the little things, the small, everyday occurrences that you'll remember. The laughs, the stories, the smiles. And even though it seems like you can never recover from your loss, it is these very memories that will help push the pain away and bring back the smiles.

With heartfelt condolences,
Charity Wells


“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3

Charity Wells

February 2, 2013

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