SARA SCOTT TURNER

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SARA SCOTT TURNER

Sara Scott Turner was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at the age of 97 at Calvary Care Home in Winnipeg.

Sara was predeceased by her husband, composer Dr. Robert Turner; her sister Margaret Scott Ward and her three dear children, Dr. Alden Turner (Connie Turner), Martin Turner (Bridget Wabegijig), and Carolyn Turner (Dr. Carl Matheson). She was survived by her five grandchildren, Caitlin Turner, Kelsey Turner, Alycia Wabegijig, Miles Turner, and Nishka Turner; and great-grandchildren, Malcolm, Kyle, Sage, Valentina, Otis, Susanna, Lily, and Kieran.

Sara was born on February 19, 1926 to Henry and Margaret (Kennedy) Scott in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. As a young woman, she attended the Wheaton School and Juilliard, where she studied percussion, focussing on the timpani. Sara attended the Tanglewood Centre for Music in Boston and spoke fondly of the impact these experiences made upon her. While studying music, she met Robert Turner whom she married in 1949 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sara's career as a composer evolved from studies in London, Paris, and the U.S. writing 12-tone and atonal music to more recent works inspired by social issues. She also composed delightful instrumental pieces, which were broadcast on CBC Radio and featured in the Winnipeg New Music Festival. During her career, Sara focused her practice on music therapy, an inspired and accelerated perspective on theory. She taught percussion, theory, music history and piano and worked at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University; The University of British Columbia; Acadia University and Brandon University.

Sara was a fierce supporter of her husband’s accomplishments as an eminent Canadian composer of classical music, offsetting his shy nature with her sociability. Sara always gave her family the gentle love and encouragement they needed to explore culture and their own natural gifts. She loved to sing and play the piano, read, laugh, tell stories, and socialize. She will be remembered for her beautiful voice and vibrant charm.

A family gathering will take place at Mount Royal, Montreal at a later date.

Sara’s family kindly requests that you visit her tribute page at EthicalDeathCare.com. A photo-biography as well as memories and stories published by those who knew her are available there.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations

204-421-5501 - EthicalDeathCare.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 03, 2023