Obituary: Lea Turner

Lea Turner, of Hallandale Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, in hospice care, making a final journey to her eternal resting place. Lea’s journey began in 1922 in Berlin, Germany, during turbulent times. Lea was the eldest daughter of Meilich (Max) and Regina (Rachel) Jochnowitz of Melitz, Poland. In 1937, Lea and her family made a daring escape from Nazi Germany to the United States. From 1937 to 1945, living in Washington Heights in New York City, Lea supported her parents and two siblings (David and Frieda), working during the day and attending school at night. In 1945, Lea married Arthur Turner and journeyed from New York City to Washington, D.C. to start their family. Arthur was a businessman who primarily operated Turner’s Fine Furniture in Washington, Maryland and Virginia. Lea and Arthur worked together while raising their four children in Chevy Chase, Md. Lea is survived by her children, Claire Turner (Deep Gap, N.C.), Jerry Turner (partner Gloria Waldman, Hollywood, Fla.), Alyce Turner (Columbia, Mo.) and Stanley Turner (Carole Kurtz Turner, Sandy Springs, Ga.); grandchildren Rachelle Turner, Alex Turner (Kat), Dov Turner (Laura), Lea Lufkin, and Jaclyn Turner; and great-grandchildren Maximus and Roman (Alex and Kat) and Maya (Dov and Laura).

Lea was a founding and continuous member of Montgomery County Jewish Community Center, now Ohr Kodesh Congregation (Chevy Chase). Lea’s devoted Arthur passed away suddenly in 1995, virtually on the eve of their journey into retirement at the home of their dreams in Florida. Thereafter, Lea lived alone, often enjoying traveling, while being perpetually busy cooking, sewing or reading, while maintaining homes in Maryland and Florida. In 2013, challenged by physical limitations, Lea remained in Hallandale Beach until her final journey.

A funeral service held on Aug. 27 at Temple Beth-El Memorial Gardens was conducted by Rabbi Gideon Goldenholtz of Temple Sinai of Hollywood. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Magen David Adom, Federal Tax ID Number 123-1790719, to make a tax-deductible donation to save lives and support Israel.

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