Obituary of Anna Marie Turley

November 20, 1937  -  February 18, 2024

Anna Marie Turley  passed away after a short stay in hospice on February 18, 2024. She was the eldest of two children born to Wayne and Helen Wride. Anna Marie is survived by  her children Julie Turley, Shelley Turley (John Rothermich), Scott Turley (Sara Swim), Karen Turley, eight grandchildren, and her brother, Wayne Wride. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved husband, Thad Turley.

A native of Payson, Utah, Anna Marie moved to Arizona with her husband in 1963, and never left.  She loved living in the desert, was an avid reader of Elizabethan  history, and a college basketball fan. She loved watching her musical Arizona-based grandchildren  perform. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she earned an education degree from  Brigham Young University, served full-time as a missionary in the Church’s Eastern States Mission, happily served in church callings from visiting teacher to Sunday School  librarian, and was an active and cherished member of her local congregation up until her death. 

Anna Marie married Thad Brady Turley on  August 16, 1963, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple after meeting him at a Brigham Young University singles dance seven weeks prior. The couple moved between Arizona and California where they raised their four children. 

After her husband’s death, Anna Marie was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. The  diagnosis of her disability did much to explain  her life’s challenges,  and compelled those close to her to interpret her life with more generosity and grace. 

A viewing prior to the funeral service will be from 5 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, February 25th at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1054 West 2nd Place, Mesa, AZ 85201. The funeral service will commence at 6 pm at the same location. 

Interment will take place  on Monday, February 26th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.