Jean LaFortuna was my mother and I miss her daily. As each day, week, month passes from her death in November 2017, I am reminded what it takes for a Black woman to survive and live to a senior plateau. My mother lived to be 81, which seems like such a long time but its a short distance from 62. Here is her obituary and pictures from her life.

 Jean Lafortina Ashford Turner departed this life on November 17th, 2017. Jean was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Ethel and George Ashford, who proceeded her in death, as did her husband, William Lawrence “TIP” Turner. 

Mom attended St Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School and Booker T Washington High School. In high school, she played the clarinet in the Booker T Washington Band, was a member of the Girls’ Athletic Association, and the High School Class Year Book. 

Mom graduated from Virginia State University with a BA in US History, and a minor in English. In college, she was a member of the History Club and Tutoring Program. 

 While visiting friends in Sacramento, Mom liked the city and decided to stay. She was offered and accepted a position as a Social Worker for Sacramento County where she worked for thirty-six years, and seven months. While working, she enrolled at Sacramento State University and received a Masters Degree in Social Work. Mom applied and received her LCSW from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and later became a nationally Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. 

Mom met and married William, “Bill,” “Tip” Turner, “the only one for her ever,” and from that union, a daughter, Debra Denice Turner was born. She was the “joy of their lives” and continued to be the “joy” of mom’s life. Bill died December 19th, 1988 from complications of multiple sclerosis. 

 Mom worked part time for UC Davis Medical Center as a clinical social worker, and worked for two nursing homes providing clinical services to depressed patients. She was also in private practice for a short period of time, and was involved with “Give an Hour” which provided free counseling services to veterans and their families. 

Mom belonged to the National American Board of Diplomats in Clinical Social Work and The Clinical Society of Clinical Social Workers in Sacramento. She was a member of the Red Cross Mental Health Unit and the Red Cross Shelter Unit. Mom was a volunteer at the Sacramental International Airport, and at McGeorge School of Law as a mock juror. 

 Mom is survived by her daughter, Debra Denice, her son-in law, Tom, Cousin, Gwen Washington of Norfolk, Virginia, “special daughters,” Lori Brown and Tina Starness, and “Sisters” Joan Brown, Chris Moon, and in Virginia, Josephine Edwards, Bernice Vaughan, and other friends in Norfolk, and in other states. She “never let go,” and remained friends with her elementary, high school, college and grad “buddies” throughout her life. She always kept “one foot” in Norfolk and other places of friends she met who had moved and kept in touch. 

Mom was an avid reader, loved James Brown, Tina Turner, Rolling Stones, Credence Clearwater, and “All” Rock and Roll. She learned to love gardening and each year planted a small vegetable garden whose harvest was shared with neighbors and friends. She loved people, luncheons, movies, plays, Bid Whist, Reno, gossip, and “The Rusty Nail.” 

 Mom belonged to The Rat Pack, Gentle Ladies, The Sociables, Marys’ Group, The Bid Whist Group at the Pannell Center (Senior Citizens). These varied groups, some meeting once a month, every other month, etc. to have lunch or play cards and as a result, catch up with each other’s lives, their families, and mutual friends. Mom enjoyed being with each of these groups.

Jean’s cats were a big part of her life. She always had two but had a difficult time restraining herself from having more. She loved their independence, that in spite of or because of what you did, they were in control and were beholden to no one. “What a spirit.” 

“I have now left ‘DODGE CITY’ – PEACE TO ALL.”