Catherine Penn TURNER

TURNER Catherine Penn, 62, of Glendale, OH, died on Tue, Oct 19, 2010, from complications following open heart surgery. Family and friends called her "Katie." For nine years, she waged a courageous fight against a rare lung disease; and through it all, she retained an unsurpassed love of life and a wonderful sense of humor. She was born in Georgetown, KY, on Oct 11, 1948, to the late Edgar and Marjorie Andrews Penn; a brother, Johnny Penn, died on May 16, 1974. Her father was a prominent businessman and landowner and Katie managed the family business after her father retired. She also co-owned a travel agency in Cincinnati. Katie graduated from the Cardome Academy in Georgetown and remained an active member in their alumni association. She had attended a reunion this summer. She married fellow Kentuckian Bill Turner on Jan 16, 1982, and they moved to Cincinnati. Even though she remained passionate about her home state of Kentucky (having proudly visited all 120 counties) she made it a point to learn all she could about the history of her adopted home of Glendale. She was involved in numerous church and civic activities as long as her health permitted. Working with other family members, Katie continued to investigate and learn about her family genealogy; she pursued this hobby across the United States and in England and Scotland. Katie was a member of the Glendale Presbyterian Church, having served on several committees, including Session, and also sang in the choir for many years. She was past president and a member of the Glendale Centennial Gardeners, and belonged to the Papillon Club of America and Pap Adopters. She is survived by her devoted husband, Bill Turner; children, Marjorie (Andi) Bristol, Nashville, TN, Tiffany Logan, Mansfield, OH, and Jennifer and David Weber of Parkton, NC; and grandchildren, Tori, Emma, Loralei, Tobey, Freddie and Harley Rose. She also leaves a sister, Mary Douglas Pickruhn of Sebring, FL; a stepsister, Annie Andrews, Nashville, TN; and a stepbrother, Alfred Andrews, Shelbyville, KY. Her adoring canine family members, Whissie, Deaton, Basil and Rigdon, spent many days keeping "Mom" company on her office couch. She will also be greatly missed by a host of family and friends around the world. No services will be held. Katie wished to be cremated and that her ashes would be scattered on the Kentucky River and its shores near Versailles, KY. She spent many happy summers there as a young girl, and proudly proclaimed her membership in the "River Rats." The family requests that no flowers be sent. Memorials may be made to Pap Adopters, 2380 Ethel Drive, Wolverine Lake, MI 48390. This organization spends countless hours rescuing and finding forever homes for Katie's beloved papillons.