Maxine Pinegar Turley, 91, passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on Friday, April 9, 2021. We can only imagine the reunion with her beloved husband there to welcome her after 51 years apart. Born March 31, 1930 in Provo, Utah, to James Emery and Effie Jolley Pinegar as the fourth of their seven children.
Growing up in the Utah County area, helping with the family fruit farm is where she gained her hard work ethic and appreciation for the simple things in life. From these experiences, she became involved in the 4H program where she found great success and true pride in her efforts. She attended and graduated from BY High.
Maxine spent years developing many talents and perfecting them. She was well known for her music ability, particularly playing the piano. She played many years for church meetings and musicals and shared her talents in teaching many others to play over the years. She gained a unique talent as a seamstress from her time in 4H which allowed her to receive a scholarship for her work.
Her mother, following the passing of her father when she was young, rented her basement to those young men attending BYU. One of the young men, O. Wayne Turley made quite the impression which led to their marriage on October 14, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they were blessed with a wonderful family of five sons and a daughter. She was heartbroken with his unexpected and sudden passing in December of 1969. Making the tough decision to not re-marry, she showed her strength and perseverance in her ability to raise her family as a young widow at age 39 until her passing.
Following Wayne’s passing, she completed her college degree at Westminster College. She directed and managed the Pied Piper Day Care Center for more than 20 years influencing and helping young children through her care and concern for each of them as her own.
Her love for her family fostered her desire to gather her family as often as she could find a reason to do so. One of the most memorable traditions was gathering the entire family for a reunion at Cherry Hill water park. Many long and lasting memories were made there and have carried on through the generations. Her family was her passion.
Maxine’s love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ was something that was unquestioned to anyone who knew her. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ensured her faith and testimony were clear in all she did. Her love for attending and serving in the temple, along with studying the scriptures created a sure foundation for her and became important to her family through her example. Her love of the gospel led to her desire to serve a stake mission with her husband and later a Family History mission following his passing. She always served when asked, serving to the best of her ability and doing many kind acts when prompted and seeing a need.
Maxine is survived by her five sons, Wayne (Becky), Craig (Janet), Reid (Linda), Scott (Dorina), Steven ( Janet) and her daughter SueAnne (Doug) Oliphant. Also survived by her sibling James J. (Colleen) Pinegar, sister-in-law Patricia Pinegar, thirty grandchildren and eighty-seven great-grandchildren with some arriving soon.
Preceded in her passing by the love of her life, O. Wayne Turley, her parents, siblings Glen, Wanda, Wanita, Ed and Delbert.
A public viewing will be held on Sunday, April 18, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 19, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary and will be limited in attendance to the family. A family viewing will be held prior to the funeral services beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow funeral services at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
Masks and social distancing will be required while at the mortuary for the viewing and funeral services.
The family would like to invite all friends, neighbors, family not able to attend in person and any whose life was touched by Maxine to attend the funeral services virtually as they will be live streamed via Zoom with link above by clicking "Watch Service".
To view the previously held services, please use the "Watch Service" link above.
Our deepest sympathies at the loss of your mother…I’m sure her reunion with your dad was sweet and highly anticipated by both of them…Love James Kristine and Children
I want to let you know how much I will miss Maxine she was a very special person in my life I have known her for many many years I will miss our everyday conversations we had over the phone we had a lot of laughs and Good Times throughout the years Maxine you will be dearly missed by me and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you I know that I have certainly been very blessed by having you in my life love and will miss you always Suzanne
My dear, sweet Aunt Maxine...simply a wonderful woman, aunt, boss, and friend. Aunt Maxine gave me my start as a teacher of children when she hired me as a long-haired 18-year old to work at Pied Piper Preschool. Every afternoon after my morning classes at the University of Utah, I would head over to Pied Piper and spend the afternoon putting youngsters down for their afternoon naps, guiding and playing with the 9 and 10-year olds after school, and sitting next to my beautiful Aunt Maxine who was playing the piano and leading 30 or so children in song. These experiences changed the direction of my life because I saw the value and fun of teaching children and I became a lifelong special educator...thanks Aunt Maxine. I love you and know you are having fun once again with your baby sister, my Mama, in Heaven...let the good times roll!
What a woman! To me, she was the epitome of fortitude, raising her family on her own. I was just a child when she lived two houses away from me, but I have never forgotten her kindness and her unwearying dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She had the strength of a pioneer, and the compassion of a Mother Teresa. May her legacy live forever and her posterity be blessed with peace & joy.
My dear friend and sister. Such an amazing woman, so happy, upbeat and positive. I can only imagine the rejoicing as sweetheart and family welcomed her home.
Our family was blessed to live next door to the Turley family and have many cherished memories of growing up with the Turley family. As a young family, we grieved with Maxine with Wayne’s unexpected and sudden passing; Maxine left an enduring example about the importance of family, courage, strength, hard work, and unfailing faith and love of Jesus Christ. Maxine was always encouraging and kind to us and we are happy that she is now reunited with her true love. We are sending our condolences to all members of the family and we hope you find lasting peace in knowing your mother made a positive impact to hundreds of lives and can celebrate her legacy for generations to come.
The Jensen Family
April 14, 2021
I am Donna Banks (formally Douglas, from Montana.) We moved to SLC in 1960, living just below Westminister College) I was a child when Bro. Wayne Turley was my Sunday School teacher in Montana. I remember him with very fond feeling as he was such a spiritual educator. I remember Sis. Turley lovingly as she lost her eternal companion so young. I remember her wonderful talents especially on the piano. I have often thought of Bro. and Sis. Turley, even 61 years after leaving Montana, as their love and influence on me is eternal.
May your family know of the extensive love and influence your sweet parents have been. Sincerely, Donna Banks
(lehispeech@yahoo.com)
Donna Banks
Friend
Just wanted to send my love to the great Turley family.
Aunt Maxine was always so kind and loving to me.
I'm looking forward to viewing her funeral tomorrow
and learning even more about this wonderful woman.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Karie
Maxine has been a wonderful sister and her life has been a wonderful blessing to us. We are grateful she is now with Wayne and her parents. May sweet memories be a comfort to her dear family. We love you dearly.
We were blessed to have known Maxine in her later years. She was a shining example of faith and service to us all. Prayers and love to the family at this time.
What a beautiful and significant service...from the grandchildren’s memories to Steven’s thoughts to Sue Ann’s angelic voice! My love for Aunt Maxine and our family flows like a mighty river. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m heading to the grocery store to buy some Creamies (smoothies). Love and peace to all of us now and forever...Tony
I would like to send my thanks and love to the Turley family. Thank you Steven and brothers and one sister for your love and care of you mom. I very much felt of your wonderful mothers life and testimony thru your talks and music. You are all a great tribute to her. Your mother has lived well. I can only imagine the loving and happy feelings your mom and dad had when they embraced for after so many years apart. Maxine Pinegar Turley touch many lives in 93 years. I am glad mine was one of them. Thanks Steve for your friendship to me that made this happen.
What a beautiful hour I spent with your family this morning as you so lovingly said, "Goodbye for now" to Maxine. The service was so perfect with just the right combination of spirituality and humor. Every grandchild and Steve did amazing jobs at expressing their love for and giving additional insight into Maxine's life. I loved hearing Sue Ann sing so beautifully after many years of not having that opportunity. What an excellent talent! I spent a half hour before the service watching the video about her life. It was fun seeing her family and pictures of her youth and she and Wayne in the early years of their marriage.
Maxine is such a dear friend and I am so happy that she is now well and at peace. She truly accomplished so much good in her life and seeing some of you participate so well at her service verified for us all what a fantastic person, mother, and grandmother she was. I have seen Maxine experience problems through the years of our friendship and she always faced those problems with strength and faith in our Father in Heaven. I know she was welcomed home with grand accolades from Him, our Savior, and all of her loved ones who have proceeded her.
I will think of her often, always with tremendous love.
Sharen De Haan Christiansen
What a sweet sweet spirit I had a special moment with Sister Turley a few weeks after her loving husband passed. I had gone to her home to see her son Wayne, he wasn’t there and Sister Turley and I sat in her kitchen and she shared the most tender thoughts about her husband. I was so touched by her love for him and her testimony of the gospel. She truly was special. I was blessed to have known her.
Love to her sons, Sue Ann and family
Gary Groendyke