Lee Turner

Dedicated Volunteer

As written by her son, Michael Turner:

Lee Turner has insatiable appetite for helping others. She learned this valuable lesson from her father. As a little girl she remembers that after dinners at the synagogue her father would visit the neighborhood park and bring back the vagrants to serve them dinner.

Today, the 85-year-old retired nursing instructor can be found organizing Halloween. Christmas and Easter parties for the women and children at St. Clare's Home, serving breakfast and holiday dinners for the less fortunate at the Interfaith Community Services or coordinating regular visits to Jewish residents at nursing homes by the of Temple Adat Shalom's Sisterhood.

Lee is also active with the Pomerado Hospital Auxiliary, Villa Pomerado Skilled Nursing Facility, League of Women Voters, AAUW of Rancho Bernardo, Hadassah and Women's American ORT.

Although she prefers to work tirelessly in the background, Lee's passion and dedication have not gone unnoticed. In 1999 she was honored as Volunteer of the Year by St. Clare's Home for Women and Children and the Interfaith Community Services. Previously she was recognized by Temple Adat Shalom as its Woman of Valor and with the Kroc Award, its highest honor, and was inducted in the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame.

Where there is a void in the community Lee Turner will be there ready and willing to fill it. Her interest in assisting others is a reflection of her nursing career, a profession where for 35 years Lee dedicated herself to helping others in need.

Lee Turner is obviously an individual who knows the joy and responsibility of giving back to the world. Her dedication to the needs and happiness of others is testament to her boundless energy and bottomless generosity. Many people lives are made better and more fulfilled because of Lee Turner.

Women's International Center honors Lee Turner and her volunteer spirit with the LIFETIME LEGACY VOLUNTEER AWARD at the Living Legacy Awards 2000.