Mary Ann (Sourwine) Turner, 78, of Edmonton, Alberta, passed away on January 1, 2026.

Born in Washington, D.C., Mary’s life took a beautiful and unexpected turn in 1979 when, on the last day of a vacation in Mexico, she met Gil Turner. In a story that still makes those who knew her smile, Mary struck up a conversation with Gil at a bar – not something anyone would have predicted, and a decision that would shape the rest of her life. In 1980, she moved to Edmonton, and they were married on July 3, 1980. Together, they built a deeply happy life and recently celebrated 45 years of marriage.

Mary was the first female graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, not something she sought recognition for, but simply part of her determination to follow her own path and her genuine desire to help people. She went on to build a long and respected career as a family physician, serving her patients and community with compassion, dedication, and quiet strength until her retirement. She met every challenge in her life with quiet courage and unwavering strength.

She had a lifelong love of music and found great joy in singing, sharing her voice with various choirs over the years, including the Concordia Community Chorus and, more recently, Ante Meridiem. Mary was also an avid gardener and took particular pride in her potatoes, tending her garden with patience and delight.

Mary was famous for her sugar-bun loaves – eagerly anticipated, generously shared, and fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to receive one. Her French toast was legendary, her spaghetti sauce deeply comforting, and her take on fettuccine alfredo a family favourite. These were the dishes that brought people to the table and kept them there, talking and laughing long after the meal was done.

Mary loved to travel and embraced every opportunity she had. She cruised many times, including a memorable cruise to Australia, and travelled through Europe both by cruise and by land. One of her most treasured adventures was spending several weeks travelling through Europe with her husband and daughter after her daughter’s semester abroad, visiting places such as Pompeii, Venice, Vienna, Krakow, Berlin, Heidelberg, and Paris – a journey filled with discovery, laughter, and shared memories.

Mary was her children’s biggest fan and took immense pride in both Michael and Jennifer, celebrating their accomplishments and supporting them in everything they did. She was a devoted and loving mother, a loyal and thoughtful friend, and a cherished “pseudo-grandmother” to many. She had a rare gift for making people feel welcomed, cared for, and truly seen, and her warmth will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Family was always deeply important to Mary. Although she lived far from her brothers, her annual visits with Jay and Wayne were among the highlights of her year, and she treasured the time, connection, and laughter they shared. In between visits, she stayed closely connected through regular video calls, a routine she valued and looked forward to.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gil Turner; her son, Michael Turner; her daughter, Jennifer Turner; and her brothers, Jay (Julien) G. Sourwine and W. Wayne Sourwine.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Further details will be shared with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society

https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/dedicate-your-donation

or Ante Meridiem Choir

https://amchoir.com/support-us/.