Sondra Gail (Harte) Turner

SONDRA GAIL TURNER

April 30, 1937 – May 3, 2020

With heavy heart, after 4 years of declining health owing to Alzheimer’s disease, the family of Sondra Turner announces her passing at Sakura House on May 3rd. Born in North Bay 83 years ago, Sondra was the daughter of Marjory Jean Harte and Douglas Leishman (both deceased) and at an early age was adopted by her maternal grandparents Libby and Wallace (Wally) Harte (deceased). Previous husbands, Gerald Emery Bell and Robert Fowlis Fyffe are both predeceased. Sondra has been the loving wife and best friend of Paul Turner of Woodstock for the past 14 years. During her active working career, Sondra obtained her B.A. from the University of Toronto and her Art Certificate from the Ontario Art College and taught, mainly junior high level, in various communities including Brantford, Woodstock, Vancouver, Prince George and Toronto. Sondra was a former member of Chalmers United Church and latterly an adherent of Knox Presbyterian Church. She is survived by three half-brothers Kim Ross (Julia) and niece Stephanie of Toronto, Douglas Leishman of Bowen Island, B.C. and Robert Leishman of Deep River. Also survived by a step-daughter Linda Baker (Philip) of Woodstock and a step-son Wayne Fyffe, of Thunder Bay, step-son James Campbell (Cynthia) of Basel Switzerland, Step-daughter Andrea Wilson (Hap) of Rosseau and Cherie McCulloch (Scott) of Wasaga Beach. Step-grandchildren include Adrianna, Alexandra, Kaitlin, Hayden, Malcolm, Morgan,  Alexa and Christopher.

Teaching was Sondra’s passion. As a teacher, energetic, vibrant and always eager to talk about a new exciting learning technique she wanted to pass on to her students. She gave many young people the gift of understanding and the tools to be active participants in the building of their own lives. She helped release skills and talents that might otherwise have remained dormant. She was a force of learning and she loved it. Sondra, always gentle, loving and kind, had a quick wit and a wonderful smile that lit up any room she entered. She will be deeply missed. As per her wishes cremation has taken place. At a later date, when circumstances permit, a Celebration of Life service will be held. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Alzheimer’s Society of Canada (Woodstock), V.O.N. Sakura House or Woodstock Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated and may be arranged through Brock & Visser Funeral Home, Woodstock (519-539-0004) or online at www.brockandvisser.com

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