MARQUETTE - Margaret Turner, 84, left this world July 22, 2009, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Mather Nursing Home.

She was born Nov 24, 1924, and was raised in the areas of Detroit and Birch Run, Mich. She loved to tell you that when she was growing up, there was no mall in Birch Run.

Margaret served in the Canadian Army during World War II because she wanted to be overseas where her brother was stationed, and the U.S. was not sending women overseas. She raised her 6 children in the suburbs of Detroit and in 1970 moved her family from Ferndale to Fiber in the Upper Peninsula. She served as president of the VFW Women's Auxiliary in Rudyard, Mich., for many years.

When the Detroit Tigers won the World Series in the 1960s she took her children out to toilet paper the trees in celebration. In 1984, when they won again she was no less excited, although we did not toilet paper anything. She loved them even when they didn't win.

She loved her family and her animals, she took in stray children and pets. She loved the water and in her late 70s was still diving off the dock at camp with her great-grandkids. She loved to sew and made many beautiful quilts, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and more Care Bears than anyone could ever count.

Margaret could eat a meal in a restaurant, then go home and cook the meal from scratch. If it was different from the original, that was only because hers was better. She would bake amazing treats for any occasion, but Christmas was an amazing event. Her cookies melted in your mouth.

Margaret was a strong, loving, supportive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In good and bad times, she could be counted on to be there for her family; she never judged, she laughed and cried with you when you needed it.

She is survived by her children, Carol (Vern) Lucke, Danny (Linda) Turner, Shevawn MacDonald and Kimberly (Al Feltner) Turner; her daughter-in-law, Mary Turner; her grandchildren, Janine (Jim) Sams, Melissa Devereaux, Chrissy Turner, Vince (Lisa) Turner, Kelley (Rich) Copley, Danny (Natasha) MacDonald, Christine Turner, Robert Turner, Melanie (Jason) Karwowski, Lisa Turner and Justin Turner; and her 15 great-grandchildren, kiss from a child made Grama smile to her last days. Her legacy, in these babies, was her greatest joy.

She was preceded in death by her son, John Turner in 1993; and her son, Hal Turner, and her granddaughter, Chasley Turner, both in 2007. Her mother, Pearl Crawford, and her beloved brother, Charles "Bud" Crawford, also preceded her in death. She felt the sorrows of her life very deeply, but this was balanced by an even deeper capacity for love and laughter.

"You will be missed, Gram."

Mrs. Turner's life will be celebrated at a private family service. The family would like to thank Lake Superior Hospice, Mather Nursing Center and Dr. Catherine Kroll for the care they provided.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mrs. Turner's obituary may also be viewed at www.canalefuneral.com, where relatives and friends can leave a note of remembrance.