Paula Mary Turnbull

1921 - 2018

Sister Paula Mary Turnbull, SNJM

(Margaret Turnbull)

Sister of the Holy Names Paula Mary Turnbull died Friday, July 20, 2018, at Clare Bridge, Brookdale South Regal. Sister Paula's last public appearance was at the Retrospective of Art held in her honor on March 23rd of this year.

Sister Paula Mary was born Margaret Mary to William Garfield Turnbull and Marie Leger on May 26, 1921, in Seattle, WA. Sister Paula Mary began her education at Alki Elementary before completing her elementary and high school education at Holy Names Academy, Seattle. Following her high school graduation, Sister Paula Mary entered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at Marylhurst, OR, where she pronounced her vows on August 5, 1941.

Sister Paula Mary began her teaching career in elementary schools staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Names: St. Francis of Assisi (Spokane), Sacred Heart (Seattle), All Saints' (Portland, OR), and St. Patrick's (Spokane). Sister Paula Mary earned her BA in Education and Bachelor of Art majoring in Art from Holy Names College (Spokane). In 1956, Sister Paula Mary attended Siena Heights College (Adrian, MI) where she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree. Upon her return to Spokane, her career as artist and teacher began to be firmly established. Her prolific work poured from her studios at Holy Names College and Fort Wright College. In 1981, she was designated Artist-In-Residence at Fort Wright Center. The Holy Names Art Studio, especially designed for her on the property of Convent of the Holy Names, was her final studio. Sister Paula continued teaching, creating her masterful metal sculptures, and fulfilling the commissioned works that grace private homes, public venues and worship spaces until she fully retired early this spring.

The Sisters of the Holy Names wish to express their gratitude to the Spokesman Review for its recent articles that highlight the depth and breadth of Sister Paula Mary's influence as artist in the Spokane community and beyond. Sister Paula Mary also endowed her religious community with many works, especially statues of Blessed Marie Rose, (Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names) found at the colleges and high schools established by the Congregation. From the whimsical to the magnificent, Sr. Paula's pieces reflect her statement: "My art is the finest expression in form of what I wish to say, and so my ministry is the performance and teaching of art."

Sister Paula is survived by her religious community, the extended families of her numerous cousins and the many friends and students who learned from, traveled with, and worked with her over the years. She is preceded in death by her parents William Garfield & Marie Leger and brothers William and Harold Turnbull.

Sister Paula Mary Turnbull died July 20, 2018, in Spokane, WA.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 W Ft Wright Dr, Spokane, WA 99224.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday,

August 4, 2018, at 10:30 AM, at

Our Lady of Fatima Church, 34th and Perry, Spokane, WA.

Inurnment will take place at

Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements have been

entrusted to Catholic Funeral and

Cemetery Services of Spokane.

Photo by Dan Pelle/

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW