Audrey Jean Wendlandt TURNER

1938 - 2023

Born on February 4, 1938, Audrey passed away at her home on September 20, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Described by her family as "The Happiest Person in the World," this lifelong disciple of Christ joyfully shared her love through generous action and always served with sensitivity, a sparkling smile and contagious laughter. She pursued truth relentlessly-honest in every personal relationship and fact-driven in her professional conduct. Audrey's lifelong prayer "Make me useful to others" was clearly fulfilled in every role of her life.

Audrey was born in Nespelem, WA, to Milton Wendlandt and Bernice (Wynecoop) Wendlandt, the third of four children and a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. The family lived in Wellpinit and Chewelah before moving to Spokane where she graduated from West Valley High School in 1956 and earned her B.A. from Whitworth College in 1960. On January 28, 1961, she married Ronald C. Turner at Millwood Presbyterian Church. With her certification she taught at Trentwood Elementary (Spokane) and Bartlett Elementary School (Arlington, Massachusetts). Audrey earned her M.S. in Library Science from Simmons College in 1964 and was a university librarian at Boston University, Dartmouth College, Whitworth College, Eastern Washington University, Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College. She then co-founded Soph-Ware Associates in 1982 with her husband Ron, overseeing financials, office management and human resources until her retirement in 2010. In addition to offering guidance and caregiving in her family as a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, wife, aunt, and mother, Audrey served in leadership roles in high school, college, professional organizations, parent and community groups, and churches, including Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church, where she was an ordained deacon and elder and an active member for 54 years.

Audrey is survived by her husband Ron of 62 years; her daughter, Renn (David) Sanderman of Portland, Oregon; her son, Cameron (Annie) Turner of Palo Alto, California; her three grandchildren, Turner, Tallulah and James; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Audrey's life will be celebrated during a Service of Celebration of Life and Witness to the Resurrection on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 2:00pm at Whitworth Church, 312 W. Hawthorne Rd., Spokane, WA 99218. Donations in her name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Nature Conservancy or World Vision International.