Sarah Traverse Turner

Sarah “Sally” Ellamae Traverse Turner was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend.  She was born and raised in St. Joseph, Michigan.  She loved music from a very early age, and learned to play the piano and the violin.  But her first and deepest love was singing.  She attended Kalamazoo College, then transferred to the University of Michigan, for the greater opportunities offered by its renowned music program.  

     Sarah pursued a music career in New York City, where she sang professionally along with working various day jobs to make ends meet, including a stint as a department manager at Bloomingdale's.  She also earned a master's degree in music from Columbia University, and that allowed her to eventually switch to a career that she loved deeply, as a professor of voice, starting at the University of Florida, where she met the love of her life, Charles.

     A few years later, Sarah gave birth to her only child, George, and the family soon moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, where both Sarah and Charles were hired in the early years of growth at Southern Illinois University's new campus. 

     Sarah worked at SIUE for about 35 years, including a couple of return engagements as an emeritus professor when the vocal department needed extra help.  Her years at SIUE were filled to the brim with teaching, preparing students for competitions, recitals, student juries, and performing in large ensemble works (such as Handel's Messiah) with the SIUE orchestra and choir.  Her peers were near and dear, lifelong friends, and she cared truly and deeply for her students, keeping in touch throughout the years with some who were particularly special to her.  Her retirement party was glorious, with family, friends, students and colleagues from across the decades in attendance, heart-felt speeches, and -- of course -- a lot of singing.

     Sadly, Sarah and Charles did not have the long retirement they had planned, as Charles was diagnosed with Parkinson's soon after he retired.  Sarah took on the role of his caregiver with the same energy, love and dedication that she applied to everything.  Charles died in 2002.

     Sarah then became a "snowbird" -- from November until April she lived in Orange County, California, where son George, daughter-in-law Abril, and grandchildren Elena and Lily lived.  She loved them all with her whole heart.  In 2016, Sarah moved to Orange County full-time, as she was beginning to have difficulties with her health.  

     While in Orange County, Sarah was a beloved member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Tustin.  She sang in the choir, taught ESL and Citizenship classes, and participated in various other groups and activities.  Her memorial service will be held there at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 14, 2022, with reception to follow.  

     In the spring, the family will traverse back to Edwardsville, where an additional service will be held at her "home" parish, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and she will be interred next to Charles.

     Her friends and family loved her dearly, and miss her very much.  We are so grateful for her.  We imagine her now singing joyfully in God's choir, "bright, shining as the sun!"   Alleluia, alleluia!    

     Memorial donations may be made to the Music Program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Tustin, by mail, in person, or at stpauls.org