Mary Brown Turner (1925-2017): 'Onward and Upward'
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Almost every conversation I ever had with Mary Brown Turner – and there were many – ended with these three words: "onward and upward."
As a former member of the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education and Hillsboro City Council, Mary was very active in serving her community. She was vocal in areas of public education and community enhancement. She also was a voice and a champion for many who were less fortunate.
Mary passed away on Sept. 6 at the age of 92, leaving behind a loving family and a community that is better off because of her efforts.
When Mary resigned from Hillsboro City Council on July 8, 2013 just days after her 88th birthday (I can always remember Mary's birthday, July 3, because it's the same as my mother's), Council President Lee Koogler said: "I want to offer heartfelt thanks for Mary's service. She cares greatly about the community."
Indeed.
Whether it was working to have a bus stop shelter installed for Hillsboro City Schools students in the 400 block of East Walnut Street, which she did with assistance from Lerch's Barnlot Equipment, Fay Gibson and Richard Williams, arranging for Christmas gifts for needy children or promoting Susan Banyas' "The Hillsboro Story," Mary was always active and involved in altruistic causes.
Without a doubt, Mary was a woman of indomitable spirit. She would write thank-you notes from time to time, giving credit to others for work that I always figured was mostly accomplished through her own efforts and financial contributions.
Speaking of financial contributions, when The Highland County Press changed formats in 2010 and became a paid publication, there were three people who insisted on purchasing the first annual subscriptions (yes, they’re still only $10 a year). They were Bill Horne, Louise Hapner and Mary Brown Turner. Not only were they our first paid subscribers, each of them purchased multiple subscriptions.
In 2012, I wrote this about Mary:
One of the rare pleasures of working at an independent, locally owned newspaper is that each day brings something a bit unexpected and more than a little bit interesting.
And the more unexpected the day is, the more likely it is somehow connected to Hillsboro City Council member (and former Hillsboro City Schools board member) Mary Brown Turner.
Mary is a dear friend. Four or five years ago, in successive months, Mary introduced me to two great piano players. One of them was Betty Jackson Cotman, the other David Ornette Cherry.
Mary had invited David Cherry and Susan Banyas to my office for a brief get-together. I was and will always be very appreciative for that introduction.
David and Susan, for several years now, have been bringing history to life through their words and music. From the Civil War in the 19th century to the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century, their performance of “No Strangers Here Today” relates the many stories of the Underground Railroad and the people – black and white – who put personal morals and convictions before federal rules and regulations and family traditions.
Susan and David are wonderful people and I'm happy to know them, courtesy of Mary Brown Turner.
Also thanks to Mary, Betty Jackson Cotman once played the piano for me at Mary's church, A Place for Grace, at the corner of North East and East North streets.
The rosewood grand piano – built by the Decker Brothers Piano Company in New York – had been used by the congregation at the Wesleyan Methodist Church for many years. According to local historian Jean Wallis, the piano belonged to Minnie Hudson. It was a gift from the Collins family for whom she worked.
Mary had the piano restored, and the Highland County Historical Society acquired the piano in 2008.
And then there was the time that Mary decided a young man who had volunteered at St. Mary's Episcopal Church and also helped her with a community beautification and cleanup project on Johnson Street should be rewarded for his efforts.
Mary went to the Hillsboro Professional Firefighters Association and nominated Josh Fox to receive a new bicycle and helmet. That was typical Mary. Always thinking of a way to recognize someone deserving or help someone in need. And if she thought you were feeling a little down on your luck for any reason, she was always right there with a word or two from her wonderful philosophy of "onward and upward."
I used to call Mary on July 3 and wish her a happy birthday. The last time I did this, she was living at Bell Gardens Place. She would always ask about my family and co-workers and also extend a birthday greeting to my mother.
We talked before she decided to step down from city council. I remember telling her then as I told her on a few other occasions: Mary, you've done enough.
In fact, not too many of us have done nearly as much. Mary truly put service before self throughout her long and charitable life.
Requiesce in pace, dear friend.
Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.
• Note: Mary's family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. For more information, go to www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.
As a former member of the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education and Hillsboro City Council, Mary was very active in serving her community. She was vocal in areas of public education and community enhancement. She also was a voice and a champion for many who were less fortunate.
Mary passed away on Sept. 6 at the age of 92, leaving behind a loving family and a community that is better off because of her efforts.
When Mary resigned from Hillsboro City Council on July 8, 2013 just days after her 88th birthday (I can always remember Mary's birthday, July 3, because it's the same as my mother's), Council President Lee Koogler said: "I want to offer heartfelt thanks for Mary's service. She cares greatly about the community."
Indeed.
Whether it was working to have a bus stop shelter installed for Hillsboro City Schools students in the 400 block of East Walnut Street, which she did with assistance from Lerch's Barnlot Equipment, Fay Gibson and Richard Williams, arranging for Christmas gifts for needy children or promoting Susan Banyas' "The Hillsboro Story," Mary was always active and involved in altruistic causes.
Without a doubt, Mary was a woman of indomitable spirit. She would write thank-you notes from time to time, giving credit to others for work that I always figured was mostly accomplished through her own efforts and financial contributions.
Speaking of financial contributions, when The Highland County Press changed formats in 2010 and became a paid publication, there were three people who insisted on purchasing the first annual subscriptions (yes, they’re still only $10 a year). They were Bill Horne, Louise Hapner and Mary Brown Turner. Not only were they our first paid subscribers, each of them purchased multiple subscriptions.
In 2012, I wrote this about Mary:
One of the rare pleasures of working at an independent, locally owned newspaper is that each day brings something a bit unexpected and more than a little bit interesting.
And the more unexpected the day is, the more likely it is somehow connected to Hillsboro City Council member (and former Hillsboro City Schools board member) Mary Brown Turner.
Mary is a dear friend. Four or five years ago, in successive months, Mary introduced me to two great piano players. One of them was Betty Jackson Cotman, the other David Ornette Cherry.
Mary had invited David Cherry and Susan Banyas to my office for a brief get-together. I was and will always be very appreciative for that introduction.
David and Susan, for several years now, have been bringing history to life through their words and music. From the Civil War in the 19th century to the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century, their performance of “No Strangers Here Today” relates the many stories of the Underground Railroad and the people – black and white – who put personal morals and convictions before federal rules and regulations and family traditions.
Susan and David are wonderful people and I'm happy to know them, courtesy of Mary Brown Turner.
Also thanks to Mary, Betty Jackson Cotman once played the piano for me at Mary's church, A Place for Grace, at the corner of North East and East North streets.
The rosewood grand piano – built by the Decker Brothers Piano Company in New York – had been used by the congregation at the Wesleyan Methodist Church for many years. According to local historian Jean Wallis, the piano belonged to Minnie Hudson. It was a gift from the Collins family for whom she worked.
Mary had the piano restored, and the Highland County Historical Society acquired the piano in 2008.
And then there was the time that Mary decided a young man who had volunteered at St. Mary's Episcopal Church and also helped her with a community beautification and cleanup project on Johnson Street should be rewarded for his efforts.
Mary went to the Hillsboro Professional Firefighters Association and nominated Josh Fox to receive a new bicycle and helmet. That was typical Mary. Always thinking of a way to recognize someone deserving or help someone in need. And if she thought you were feeling a little down on your luck for any reason, she was always right there with a word or two from her wonderful philosophy of "onward and upward."
I used to call Mary on July 3 and wish her a happy birthday. The last time I did this, she was living at Bell Gardens Place. She would always ask about my family and co-workers and also extend a birthday greeting to my mother.
We talked before she decided to step down from city council. I remember telling her then as I told her on a few other occasions: Mary, you've done enough.
In fact, not too many of us have done nearly as much. Mary truly put service before self throughout her long and charitable life.
Requiesce in pace, dear friend.
Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.
• Note: Mary's family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. For more information, go to www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.