Mary B. Turner

The Life of
Mary Gwendolyn Turner, 80 of Bloomfield, Connecticut was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at home with her loving husband by her side. Mary was born in Wayne County, Goldsboro, North Carolina on May 5, 1944, to the late Alexander and Velma Brinson. She was the sixth child of fourteen children.
Mary Turner relocated from North Carolina to Connecticut where she met the love of her life Rufus Turner. They married on August 22,1970. Their loving union produced a son Corey Leon Turner and daughter Germaine Turner Knighton. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, usher, and missionary.
Mary obtained her master's degree in education from the University of Hartford and was a Business Technology Teacher for thirty-six years. She taught at Weaver High School for one year and thirty-five years at Bulkeley High School. Mary was a true humanitarian. She was the coordinator for the Humanitarian Club at Bulkeley High School where she organized clothing and food drives, volunteers for South Park Inn, and conducted character building and violence prevention workshops. She said that "public service work and educating young people have always been cornerstones of her personal and professional life."
Mary received HART's Community Service Award and SINA Award in 1999, Governor Rowland's Challenge to Education Award in 1998, and Bulkeley's Teacher of the Year in 1997. Mary was quoted saying, "I really don't see a separation between teaching and community work-both come from wanting to help people, which I believe is the most important thing we can do." Furthermore, Mary was awarded the Who's Who Among America's Teachers to recognize her as one of the outstanding teachers in America. She was also a member of the New England Association of Schools and Collection Commission of Public Secondary Schools. Mary was honored and delighted to be the president of the Cameo Club and Ms. Senior Connecticut.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Alexander and Velma Brinson and siblings Kenneth, Alex, Linwood Brinson, Delorse Purdie, Doris Jean Worrells, and Shirley Morgan.
Mary leaves behind her beloved husband Rufus Turner of 54 years, and two children Corey and Germaine and stepdaughter Valerie Washington, daughter-in-law Sonia and son-in-law Allen and her seven grandchildren Ebonique, Jordan, Isaiah, Jaylese, Jaylen, Tiffany and Chasity and three great-grandchildren. Mary is survived by her siblings Calvin (Katrina), Jerrelle Jones, Richard (Patricia), Velma Knight, Virginia Turner, Vivian Morrisey, and Stephen (Tracy), Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Her family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM at The First Cathedral, 1151 Blue Hills Ave., Bloomfield. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Carmon Funeral Home has care of arrangements.