Cynthia Turner

Cynthia A. Turner (“Big Sweetie”) passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on October 16, 2019. She was born on May 27, 1947 to Marian C. and James F. Turner. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James R. Turner.

Cynthia (“Cyn”) graduated from South Haven High School in 1965. She attended Kalamazoo College where she graduated in 1969 with her lifelong friends, the Pleasure Palace Group. After graduation, Cynthia embarked on many adventures and had an interesting career path. Some of her occupations included: an au pair in France; was an employee of the Michigan Department of Social Services; was an employee of Friend of the Court; was a Management Instructor at Lansing Community College; was an antique dealer; she became a camera expert and eventually retired from The Altria Group.

Cyn was active and enjoyed doing “the 3 B’s”: Bridge, Bowling and Bingo. She was extremely passionate about bowling. She wasn’t very good when she first started but with hard work and practice, she became great at it. She was inducted into the Traverse City Bowling Hall of Fame in 2011. She was a frequent player of bridge with the “Bridge Babes” and the AAUW. She played bingo with her BFF, Mary Kay (Husband, Scott) Hicks. She enjoyed trivia and was particularly proud of her trivia team, “Acme Dynamite.”

Cyn stayed active during the summer with her grandchildren. She enjoyed attending local baseball games and the National Cherry Festival. She also loved swimming, fishing, and golfing. Cyn was an exceptional golfer; she shot a hole in one in the Kalkaska League and had a double eagle at the Cascade Golf Course in Grand Rapids.

Cyn and Glen travelled through all but four of the 50 states. They mostly travelled by motorcycle and never met a casino they didn’t enjoy (win or lose!). They made friends with ease no matter where they went. They also attended many Pow-Wows near and far. Cyn was able to travel to her happy place of Laughlin, Nevada one last time in August with her BFF, Mary Kay.

She was the beloved wife of Glen Miller of Traverse City whom she married on Valentine’s Day, 1981. They shared 44 wonderful years together. Cyn was stepmother to Andy and Dennis Miller. She was Grandma Cyn to Joe, Austin, Carson, Devyn and Parker. Cyn is survived by her brother, Bill (Wife, Kay) Turner, and numerous other family members. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family whom she loved dearly.

A celebration of Cynthia’s life is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City, MI. The family will greet friends starting at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA. Cyn’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Munson Cancer Center: Dr. Peter Kohler and Hospice staff: Karen, Cathy, Donna, Margaret and Caleb for all their loving care and concern.

A luncheon will be held at the Bay View Inn in Acme following Cyn’s Celebration of Life. At the luncheon, Glen encourages stories of “Cyn Tales.”

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