Lucy Mary Turrentine

Lucy Mary Turrentine, the youngest of four siblings, was born March 3, 1925 in

Geneseo, New York to Samuel and Lucy (Miceli) Jerris. She passed away May

23, 2018, with her daughters by her side. Her family lived above a neighborhood

bar, which they owned and operated. Lucy often recalled the times she and her

sister Carm would sneak downstairs at night, fill up a pitcher of beer and proceed

to watch from the landing as the adults danced and carried on. Her mother was

known throughout town for her cooking, and her simple yet delicious pizzas were

devoured by her grandchildren. After high school Lucy and her best friend took a

train across the country to San Francisco. It may have only been a ten-day round

trip ride, but they had a wonderful time visiting with all the wartime soldiers on

board. Lucy signed up for nursing school in Buffalo, but after three months she

and her supervisor agreed she didn’t have the stomach for it. In 1950 she joined

the Women’s Air Force and worked as a stenographer until she met Mister Fun

Guy, Samuel Turrentine. They were soon married in Ft. Myer, Virginia, and after

the birth of their daughter, Marilou, they hit the jackpot when Sam was assigned

to Rio de Janeiro. They set sail on the ocean liner SS Argentina and lived in Rio

for the next four years. Their son John and daughter Pattie were born there. Let’s

just say they were living the high life. They returned to the states in 1958, when

Sam was stationed at the Pentagon. While living in Virginia, Lucy began working

for the US Civil Service, and continued to do so when they next moved, in 1963,

to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Lucy actually enjoyed working

(perhaps it got her mind off the trouble her kids would occasionally get into),

going to Air Force games, golfing with friends, and dancing at the NCO club. She

was an avid reader with a keen and quick mind, and although she was a very

classy lady she always enjoyed a good raunchy joke (a real blessing because

her husband was full of them). Lucy remained in her home for another 22 years

after Sam passed away in 1993, until a broken hip necessitated her move to

Bozeman to be near her daughter. Lucy was incredibly lucky, whether it was

Bingo or a raffle; you always knew she was going to win something. She loved

dancing and music and loved listening to KGLT after she moved to Montana.

She was fiercely independent, selfless when it came to her family (although she

wisely never allowed her children to borrow her car when they were teenagers),

deeply religious but never preachy, and she loved sports, especially the Denver

Broncos. She spent her last twenty months at Highgate Senior Living, where she

was well cared for and enjoyed participating in the daily activities offered. Lucy

was predeceased by her mother and father, sisters Carm and Rose, and brother,

Tom. She is survived by her children, Marilou (son-in-law David Wilson), Pattie, and John, grandsons Zane Aldworth and Sam Turrentine, and great grandson, Diego Bodelon Aldworth, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her special friend, Will, was a great

comfort to her in her last months. Her earthly presence will be greatly missed by

her family, but she will forever remain in their hearts. Lucy will be inurned next to

her husband at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver.