Community pays tribute to Turner

Laguna Beach School District officials and family members of the late Kathryn Turner paid tribute Saturday to her life of service, joyfully lived.

Turner, who faced a debilitating disease and its inevitable consequences with the same gallantry, grace and humor that she faced all of life’s challenges, was remembered with affection, admiration and laughter at a memorial service at Laguna Presbyterian Church.

“This is not a service about death,” said the Rev. Diane Borsikowski, pastor of the United Church of Religious Science, to which Turner belonged. “We are here in celebration of a life well lived.”

Turner, who preferred to be called K, died April 22 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She spent the last few months of her life in a wheelchair after her muscles began to fail. Her indomitable spirit was perhaps best exemplified by a photograph, displayed at the church, of a beaming Turner, seated in a wheelchair, waving to students at Laguna Beach High School.

Education was the keystone of her life ? for herself and for others.

Turner had a master’s degree in nursing, a law degree and a pilot’s license. She served in the military and held the positions of dean of nursing at Long Beach City College and dean of education for her church. She served on the Laguna Beach School Board for almost 12 years.

“K was a thinker, a deep thinker, a creative thinker, a clear-headed thinker, an inspired thinker and a wishful thinker,” school board President Robert Whalen said in his tribute.

“She was a principled person, and she never wavered from doing what was best for our students. She never based her decisions on political expediency, and that took courage. She was loved and admired by her colleagues.

“K left a better [school] district than the one she found when she first began. We will miss her.”

Borsikowski recalled asking Turner during a bedside conversation: How should life be lived?

“Read, learn and teach,” Turner answered.

Turner’s life partner, Bivens Hunt, selected a bookmark to distribute as a memento of the service.

“How appropriate,” Borsikowski said.

Turner is survived by three brothers: Steven, 68; Clark, 66, and Tod, 64; a sister-in-law, Joy; two nephews; and a niece.

“She never gave up her position as my guardian angel,” the eldest brother wrote in a letter read at the service.

“Kathryn never failed. Love is something that never fails.

“I did not share her religion. She loved me anyway. I did not share her lifestyle. She loved me anyway. I did not share her political beliefs. She loved me anyway.”

Thurston Middle School Principal Joanne Culverhouse recalled the January day that friends gathered at the Hotel Laguna to swap stories about Turner, who had dictated “No tears.”

“You could feel the laughter, the energy and excitement, and that is the way K wanted it,” said Culverhouse, at whose home Turner spent her last days.

Turner was boss to district Supt. Theresa Daem ? but so much more ? an inspiration to strive and improve, Daem said.

“She was the district’s moral compass,” Daem said. “When we are uncertain, we ask, ‘What would K do?

“K was not only a great lady, she was a rousing success.”

The service ended as the church bells tolled the noon hour.