Dorothy Jean (Magill) Turnbull

Dorothy Turnbull, 93, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 in Monmouth, Ore. She was born Dec. 3, 1924, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Lee and Iva Magill. Dot graduated from Atlantic High School, attended Tarkio College transferring to the University of Iowa, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education. She earned a master's degree at Penn State University where she met her husband, Robert Turnbull of Beaver Falls, Pa.
They were married in Atlantic, June 22, 1950. Four months later, they boarded a freighter traveling to Egypt with four head of Jersey cattle. Thus, began an adult lifetime of faith the essence of which is summarized by a favorite hymn "Trust and Obey." Dot and Bob served 37 years doing agricultural mission work under the United Presbyterian Church in Egypt and later in Thailand. She liked to wink and say, "I went to Egypt with four head of cattle and returned with five kids!" Dot lived her life investing in people, whether in rural development, leadership training, school administration, teaching, coaching or in retirement. She was a gift to those around the world who had the opportunity to know her.
She was preceded in death by daughter, Carol Turnbull (1998) and husband Robert (2004). She is survived by daughters Ann Turnbull (Brainerd, Minn.) Janet Sheldon (Monmouth, Ore.) Nancy Loh (Mountain View, Calif.) and son, Lee Turnbull (Tiffin); along with their spouses, six grand- children and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. First Presbyterian Church in Atlantic on June 23.