Cleda Mae Churchill

Cleda Churchill passed away from congestive heart failure at home in Vancouver, WA, Sunday morning November 7th after saying goodbye to her family and friends. She was born Cleda Mae Edwards to Claud and Gladys Edwards in Salem, OR. "Skeeter" was raised in Salem and graduated from Salem High School in 1941. A member of the Greatest Generation , she was an Oregon State Beaver and went to work at the Maritime Commission outside the Oregon Shipyards when the war began. She married Raymond J. "Bud" Turner in 1943 and enjoyed living on the Turner family's Central Oregon ranch with their two children, Susan and Steve. Cleda and her family returned to Salem where she began her career in electronics and ultimately worked 25 years with the State of Oregon, Department of Forestry. Cleda worked in the radio division and was the only woman in the office. She kept all of the radio technicians in line, on time, and in order! She made lifelong friends working for the department. Cleda married Francis "John" Churchill in Salem in 1970 and enjoyed 30 years of marriage. They loved to dance, read and travel. Cleda loved her extended family and sent cards for every birthday, anniversary, and special occasion. Cleda is survived by two children: Susan Courtney (Dean Irvin) of Vancouver and Steve Turner (Kathy) of Powell Butte, OR; four grandchildren: Kym Martin (Jim) of Battle Ground, Matthew Puetz of Portland, Nathan Turner (Allison) of Hood River, Amanda Turner of Park City, UT; two great-grandchildren: Alexander and Loren McRae of Battle Ground; step-sisters and brother, Carolyn Burton, Winston, OR, Linda Hulett, Astoria, OR, Avis Hodges, Durham, NC, and Ron Groves, Roseburg, OR. Cleda loved her nieces, nephews and extended family by marriage including three children, nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Cleda was preceded in death by infant son, Daniel Neal Turner and husband, John Churchill. As her daughter, I was honored to spend the last chapter of her life very close to her, caring for her in her home. Mom had congestive heart failure which curtailed most of her physical activities, but together we shared seven months full of adventures, family and friends; we even made a couple of trips to the beach. Her strength and independence were inspiring. Thank you to her care-givers Jeannie, Diane and Hospice Southwest for loving care and support. Our family will be forever grateful to those who joined our circle of love and devotion for Mom. Our mother was a true lady and a friend to many. Fiercely independent and generous, she was well read and a precious treasure to family and friends. Our family shares her love of the outdoors, family, music, story telling and travel. She will be loved forever and reminded us to "Always be honest." and "Don't ever forget to read the funnies."

Cleda Mae Churchill

September 7, 1923 - November 7, 2010