Dr. Deborah Ann Turner

Turner
Dr. Deborah Ann Turner (Age 73)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, 73, on January 28, 2024, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. A cherished friend, wife, aunt, mother, activist, and esteemed community leader, Deborah's legacy is woven into the fabric of her local, national, and international communities.

A fearless advocate for voting rights and women's health, Deborah Turner devoted her life's work to impacting meaningful changes in the lives of voters across the nation. As the 20th president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, Deborah played a pivotal role in fighting for a more fair and representative union, while uplifting racial equity in the organization's mission work.

Born on October 4, 1950, in Mason City, Iowa, Deborah was an excellent student, musician, and cheerleader at Mason City High School, where she earned significant honors such as the National Merit Scholarship. Her dedication to education continued at Iowa State University where she was the first Black woman to be accepted into a sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She received her Bachelor of Science before obtaining her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Iowa, participating in the American Cancer Society's Fellowship Program, and later receiving her Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School.

Deborah was a medical practitioner for 35 years. Her expertise in gynecologic oncology earned her respect and admiration from colleagues and patients alike. In 1985, she became the first African American woman certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the specialty of gynecologic oncology.

In 2016, Deborah combined her extensive background in medicine with her passion for serving those in need by becoming the Associate Medical Director at Planned Parenthood of North Central States.

Deborah leaves behind a legacy of achievements that will continue to inspire future generations, including honors from the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, the NAACP Vanguard Award, induction into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame, and the Gertrude Rush Award from the National Bar Association.

Family was the foundation upon which her work was built. Deborah is preceded in death by beloved parents Willie and Maybelle (Farley) Turner; her brothers Leroy Dunn, Raymond Dunn, Lavern Turner, and Clarence Turner, and her sisters Delores (Dunn) Macer and Darlene (Turner) Hill.

She is survived by her husband David Connolly, her children Danielle Hill and Daniyel Turner; her nieces and nephews Dawn Macer, Deanne (Macer) Hodge, Deniece Dunn, Ronnie Dunn, and Sterling Macer, Jr., many cousins, and her "chickens" and "grandchickens" around the world, who were a constant source of joy and pride.

To celebrate Deborah's life, a visitation was held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in the Campanile Room at Iowa State Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50011 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT. The funeral service will occur on Sunday, February 4, 2024, in the Great Hall, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50011, with doors opening at 10 a.m. CT and the program beginning at 11 a.m. CT. The service will be live-streamed on the League of Women Voter's Facebook page. Her impact will be felt for generations by all those touched by her generosity, kindness, and grace.