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Elsa Turner Obituary
July 10, 1936 - November 16, 2025
Rock Hill, South Carolina - Elsa Heckendorf Turner of Rock Hill, SC, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The daughter of Edward August Heckendorf and Elsie Fuenfgelt Heckendorf, she was born in Chicago, IL in 1936 and later moved to Sarasota, FL. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Turner, an infant son, Mark, and a sister, Lorraine Montgomery. Survivors include her son John Turner (Theresa), daughter Joyce, son Allen Turner (Gulden), and grandchildren Hannah (Anthony) Dahkoshay, and Brice Turner, of Scottsdale, AZ, and Elif Turner of Fort Collins, CO.
She was an active visual artist and a performing member of the Sailor Circus at Sarasota High. After graduation from Florida State University, she met her future husband at an art show. The couple moved to Rock Hill, SC where Elsa built her career and tended to her family. She taught at The Catawba School, now Westminster Catawba Christian school, and earned an MFA from Winthrop University. She served on the SC Arts Commission, was a member of the Leroys art group, and maintained a studio at the Arts Council of York County. Much of her art reflects her love of nature. Family trips to the southwest and the SC coast provided inspiration for many of her award-winning artworks. She had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
A visitation will be held at the Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel on Thursday November 20, 2025 from 2:00-3:00pm. A graveside service will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Rock Hill, SC.
Memorials can be made to the Arts Council of York County at https://www.yorkcountyarts.org/donate.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elsa Turner
6 Entries
Allen Turner
November 20, 2025
2011-01-15 Roy and Elsa
Allen Turner
November 20, 2025
Van Gogh and His Inspirations at CMA 2020-01-12
Allen Turner
November 20, 2025
Elsa's sense of humor, "Looks good in orange spots!"
Dawna Sapp
November 20, 2025
I taught with Elsa at the Catawba School. She was a gifted artist and had a wonderful personality. God bless her. Dawna Sapp
Susan and Reggie Kelly
November 20, 2025
We are sorry for the loss of one of our long-time former Cato Estate neighbors. Elsa was a friendly person and a talented artist. We send sympathy to Joyce and all in the family.
Allen Turner
November 20, 2025
thank you for your condolences,
Elsa was:
visual,
curious,
cosmopolitan.
Mom taught me:
take as long as you need but before you proceed, look for, & give name to, the elements of design in everyday objects;
nudge, to leave the nest and participate;
think critically;
follow an interest and nurture a passion;
remind myself to always try to learn something from it, after a frustration;
SAVE;
have fun ;
support visual and performance arts and artisans with my continuous appreciation, vocalization and donation;
whether on the job or in the class: do your own work;
realize before you get hurt or mislead by bogus ( anything /or\ anybody );
listen, to the respected craftspersons. Respect their life experiences and wisdom they share;
and ... play, every day.
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
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Memorial Events
for Elsa Turner
Nov
20
Funeral services provided by:
Greene Funeral Home - Northwest Chapel2133 Ebenezer Road P.O. Box 37537, Rock Hill, SC 29732
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