Verna Gayleen Turner, late of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, passed away after a battle with cancer on May 30, 2025, accompanied by family as she wished. Gayleen was the first child of her parents, Lorne Turner, and Doreen Turner (nee Bredin), and the first grandchild in both the Bredin and Turner families. Predeceased by both parents and her brother, Brian Turner, she is survived by her two daughters, Adrienne Banning with her children Jackson and Blake, and Andrea Rogoschewsky with her husband Doug Rogoschewsky and their children Peyton and Emmett, by her sister Sr. Dianne Turner, and sister-in-law Sherry Turner as well as her nieces Kim Vogt (Robin) and Lindsey Petford (Darcy), her nephew Brad Turner, and their children, all great nieces. She grew up in the midst of the Bredin extended family having close relationships with her aunts, uncles, and cousins which she maintained over the years.
A dedicated teacher of Home Economics, mostly at Swift Current Comprehensive High School, Gayleen taught many generations of students as well as contributed to higher learning at the University of Saskatchewan on the Senate and through ASHE (Saskatchewan Association of Home Economists). After retiring from teaching to care for her mother, Gayleen also ran for the Pioneer Co-op Board of Directors and served on this board for many years. She was an active member in the First United Church in Swift Current, helping out on many committees over the years. Many of her longtime friends came to her through her teaching and participation on boards and committees, including BETA, but she also had friends from her earlier years as well.
Gayleen was a loving grandmother to her four grandchildren. She loved doing things with them and buying them special gifts. They brought out the best in her, bringing her much happiness. Gayleen also took great pride in her house and garden, planting and arranging so that her view from her deck was full of beauty. Since she loved to explore new places, sometimes with her children and grandchildren, she took many trips around the world and brought home mementos which she used tastefully to decorate her home.