Susan M. Turner

Susan M. Turner, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed from this life early on July 16, 2025 after a sudden, serious illness. Her daughters were at her side.

Susan Cooper Maughan was born on July 19, 1947 in Hollywood, Florida to Douglas and Ruth Maughan. She was the oldest of 4 children and spent her childhood and adolescence in Orlando, Florida. She adored her younger siblings, and they loved her right back. When it was time for college, she relocated across the country to attend BYU, where she graduated with a double major in child development and education. After graduation she began her 40 year career teaching first grade. The bulk of that career was spent at Fox Hills Elementary in Kearns. She delighted in sharing her love of the solar system, insects, the Olympics and dinosaurs with her students.

Susan met her future husband, Ron Turner, in the Murray 26th Singles ward. He caught her attention at a ward softball game, as he deftly played one handed. They were married August 6, 1981 in the Salt Lake Temple. Susan and Ron were happily married for 34 years, until he passed away in 2015. They were the parents of two daughters, Rachel and Emily. Susan was a wonderful mother. She was thoughtful and conscientious, making every holiday a special occasion. Her teaching skills bled into her mothering and she sat with both girls every day for years as they read aloud. Her patience never diminished and she showed the same care and concern for her grandchildren as they arrived, taking the time to get to know them individually and intentionally. She never missed a birthday and she continued her tradition of making even minor holidays special for her grandchildren.

After Susan retired, she spent her free time delving into family history and loved it. She had a tight, supportive community in her neighborhood and loved attending local concerts, performances and community events. She had a great love of musicals and one of her favorite activities was taking her grandchildren to see shows at Hale Center Theatre. Just this year she was able to see Les Mis and Wicked downtown and was delighted by both.

Susan was an active and valuable member of the Midvale 7th ward for 40 years. She served in many callings, including Relief Society President, Primary President, Stake Primary Counselor and even served a service mission at the dairy at Welfare Square. There are many women across the valley who have fond memories of her time as Young Women’s president. She wasn’t much of a camper, but went to girls camp for several years with minimal complaints.

Susan is survived by her siblings, Mike Maughan, Reed Maughan and Marcia Maughan; daughters, Rachel (John) Ward and Emily (Adam) Townsley; as well as her 10 grandchildren, Eden, Tayleigh, Seth, Eric, Sam and Charlie Ward, and Frankie, JJ, Suzy, and Magnolia Townsley. She is preceded in death by her husband Ron Turner and her parents, Douglas and Ruth Maughan.

Services will be held Wednesday, July 23rd at the Midvale 7th Ward chapel, 8350 S. Jackson St. at 11:00 am. Friends may call at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St., Midvale on Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM, and Wednesday morning at the church from 9:45-10:45 AM. Interment will follow at Midvale Cemetery.