Edra Marie Turner

Edra Turner December 7, 1929 November 3, 2010 Edra Marie Durand Turner passed away quietly at her home in Woodway, on November 3, 2010 after a lengthy illness. She was 80 years old. Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 8, at Waco Memorial Park with the Rev. Chris Mesa officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 7, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Edra was born on December 7, 1929 in Ironwood, Michigan to Anna Kowalski and Edward Durand. She grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and after high school, attended Milwaukee-Downer College in, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1951. After college she moved to Waco, Texas, to complete her O.T. residency at the Waco VA Medical Center. In 1952 she was offered a permanent position at the completion of the residency and worked at the VA until she retired in 1993. Edra was extremely active in her profession, holding positions on the state and national levels for Occupational Therapy associations. She helped Waco host the state conference for the Texas Occupational Therapy Association and helped Texas secure the national conference. Upon moving to Waco, Edra became active with the Waco Civic Theater, painting set designs. She met her husband, Donald R. Turner, at the theater when they worked on a play together. They married on April 15, 1955, and were married for 54 years until his death a year ago. Together, Donald and Edra raised three children and were active in the community. Edra worked with the middle school age children and was a part-time secretary at Austin Avenue United Methodist church, were she belonged for 55 years. She participated in the Midway PTA, assisted with Camp Fire Troops, was score keeper for the local Little League Baseball, helped with the local Boy Scout Troop and continued with the Waco Civic Theater. She was a member of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association, as well as the Central Texas Archaeological Society, Texas Archaeological Society, and the Southern Texas Archaeological Society, going with her husband to volunteer at archaeological excavations throughout Texas. Edra and her husband liked to travel, volunteering at a Mayan site in Belize, Central America, traveling to Australia as Good Will Ambassadors, and going on various cruises. Edra was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents, and brother, Edward "Biff" Durand. She leaves behind her children, Linda Turner, Katherine Turner-Pearson and her husband, Warren, and Mark Turner and his wife, Marilyn, all of Waco; one grandson, Jeramy Turner of Florida; a sister, Donna Decker of Michigan; two brothers, Don Durand of Wisconsin and Rick Durand of Florida; her good friend and sister-in-law, MaryAnne Gardner; and many well loved nieces and nephews. Special thanks from the family goes to MaryAnne Gardner and Warren Pearson for the special care they have given to Edra to help her remain in her home. Memorials may be sent to Friends for Life or the Texas Archaeological Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-hatch-Bailey