In Memory of

Jeanne

S.

Turo

(Schackner)

Obituary for Jeanne S. Turo (Schackner)

If you live a blessed life, you know someone who knows you better than you know yourself.
Jeanne Schackner Turo cultivated a blessed life for her husband and four children who survive her and gratefuly remember her as a confidante, a life partner, and a friend. Jeanne passed away on November 5, 2018 surrounded by her loving family.

Born to Anne and Louis Schackner, Jeanne Katherine was the third of five children raised in the family home on Prospect Street in Pawcatuck. She attended St. Michael’s elementary school and Stonington High School; active and vibrant in her high school years, she most enjoyed singing with the Key Notes and stealing her older sister’s clothes. Upon graduating in 1959, Jeanne earned her nursing credentials at St. Francis School of Nursing in Hartford. Jeanne moved to Boston and worked as a cardiac nurse at the New England Medical Center. At a Brookline MTA stop in 1965, she met Joseph T. Turo, a guy from Westerly who happened to be practicing law in a Boston firm.

Jeanne and Joe married on September 10, 1966, at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Pawcatuck and settled in Westerly to raise their four children. Jeanne’s many healthy years were abundant with her joy, energy, and laughter, which she shared freely with her friends and family on the tennis courts at Pond View; the slopes of Mount Snow and Park City, Utah; the cabana deck and shore at Seaside Beach; the backyard pool in Sherwood Hills; and the recovery room at The Westerly Hospital, where she enjoyed her career in post-operative nursing. Jeanne and Joe loved to travel and shared many adventures with their children and with close friends. From the time they met in Boston to the most recent days at the Westerly Health Center, Jeanne and Joe have been devoted, inseparable, and happy life partners. She always told her kids, “When God made me, he had your father in mind.”

Jeanne’s greatest joy in her life was her family. Growing up in Pawcatuck, Jeanne enjoyed time with the extended family of many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jeanne was a loving daughter to her parents, and her sisters and brothers were her best friends into adulthood. The Schackner family frequently gathered at Jeanne and Joe’s pool on the 4th of July as well as at their home on many Christmas nights. Jeanne loved spending this time with her many nieces and nephews, all of whom survive her. Three siblings survive Jeanne: her sister Maryanne Deary of Pawcatuck; her brother Larry Schackner of Cheshire; and her sister Therese Sutcliffe and brother-in-law John Sutcliffe of Westerly. Her sister-in-law, Patricia Schackner of Manchester, also survives her. Jeanne was predeceased by her brother Thomas Schackner and also by two brothers-in-law, Robert Deary and Michael Mancini.

In her role as daughter, sister, and aunt, Jeanne was trusted and cherished. In her role as mother, Jeanne was greatly admired. To her children, Jeanne truly was a force of nature; with her huge heart, she freely offered unfiltered advice on life. Her sense of humor was a constant and her knack for being right equally steady. Three sons and a daughter survive her: Joseph Turo and his wife Lisa of Dover, MA; David Turo of Cambridge, MA; John Turo and his wife Kendra of Westerly; and Amy Turo McKenna and her husband Sean of Mystic.

Holiday and summers at the Turo home were always loud and fun, even more so with the arrival of nine grandchildren. Jeanne so enjoyed frequent time with all of them on the deck of the family home, in the waves at the beach, and on their favorite rides at Disney World. Sharing in these memories are Jack, Luke and Peter Turo of Dover; John, Julia and Nicholas Turo of Westerly; and Nathan, Catherine and Mary McKenna of Mystic.

In their retirement, Jeanne and Joe enjoyed continued travel to Italy and Paris. They traded in the tennis rackets for golf clubs, playing many evenings at the courses in Westerly and, in the winter time, continued their enjoyment of the outdoors at their condo in Delray Beach, Florida. These many happy memories began to fade with onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Jeanne’s family would like to recognize the care of the following local organizations, The Westerly Adult Day Care Center; Hospice of Rhode Island; and the staff of the memory floor at the Westerly Health Center, where Jeanne has resided for the past two and a half years.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Jeanne’s memory by supporting the renovations of St. Michael’s Parish: St. Michael Capital Campaign, 60 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 4-7pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce Street, Westerly. The funeral Mass and burial will be private. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com