Elizabeth Jane Turner

Elizabeth Jane “BJ” Turner (nee Hutton), age 78, of Media, passed away on September 11, 2025.

Born in Darby, PA, she was the daughter of the late John H. Hutton and Elizabeth (nee Thompson) Hutton.

BJ grew up in Drexel Hill and attended Saint Andrew School, Archbishop Prendergast High School, and Immaculata College earning an AB in English in 1969. She was involved in many activities, but most fondly remembered her time in the high school band as a percussionist. Her memory for names was unparalleled and would often tell stories of grade school friends that would lead to her reciting the name of every person in her near-100 person class - no small feat.

BJ spent nearly every childhood summer in Ocean City, NJ. It was there, working as waitress at Chris’s Restaurant, that she met a short order cook, Bill Turner, whom she would choose to spend her life with. BJ and Bill were married on January 30, 1970 and started their family, welcoming Bill and Marianne over the next several years while they moved around southeast Pennsylvania, living in Media, Havertown, and Easton again. Throughout this time, BJ taught English at various schools and at various levels. She furthered her own education by earning a Master of Education from East Stroudsburg University in 1982.

The family moved to Middlefield, CT in 1983, where BJ would continue teaching and added two more children, Joe and Dan. After more moves in the 1990s (Singapore, followed by Aberdeen, Scotland), they found themselves back in Pennsylvania. BJ taught eighth grade English at Cathedral Middle School in Allentown and had a profound impact on her students; many reached out to her afterwards, thanking her for her compassionate teaching and crediting her with the positive direction of their lives.

In 1999, the family moved again to Durham, CT. BJ took on the role of Office Manager at Bill’s new company, APS Technology, providing much needed support and order for the growing business. Her passion for gardening flourished, where years of practice at previous homes resulted in a beautiful yard that she loved to work in. She formally retired in 2006 and spent her next few years traveling with Bill (including Dubai, Moscow and China) and spending time with her grandchildren and at their beach house at Bald Head Island, NC.

BJ and Bill returned to their birthplaces in 2014 and bought an apartment in Philadelphia. It was here that BJ most enjoyed hosting family gatherings, especially around Christmas, her favorite holiday. She also enjoyed taking in musical concerts at the Academy of Music and Perlman Center and visiting the city’s various markets.

BJ lost her husband Bill when he passed away in 2021 and made her final move to Media. Her last years were marked by a variety of medical issues, but despite her declining health, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, and was constantly visited by her loving siblings Cathy, Chris and John, and a never-ending parade of nieces, nephews and friends. She always had kind words for the attentive staff who cared for her.

A loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, BJ will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Elizabeth was the beloved wife of William Evans Turner; the loving mother of William Edward Turner (Carolyn Pizoli), Marianne Elizabeth Turner Rooney (Chris), Joseph Evans Turner, and Daniel Emerson Turner (Zane Bauer); the devoted grandmother of Eli Turner, Emerson Turner, William Turner, James Turner, Colin Rooney, Sean Rooney, Molly Rooney and Connor Rooney. She is survived by her sisters Catherine Hutton Hawes and Mary Christine Hutton, brother John Hutton, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family and friends are invited to BJ’s Funeral Mass 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, followed by her Visitation 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. Interment Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Broomall, PA.