Jill Kathleen Turner went home to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father on August 4, 2024, at her home in Dixon, California. She was surrounded by her family and friends, with her loyal family dog, Stetson, by her side.
Jill was the youngest of two daughters born to Fred and Irene Turner in 1968. She grew up in Ventura, California, where she was the classic beautiful beach blonde who spent her summers on the beaches of Ventura or water skiing with her family. Jill’s spiritual life was centered around Trinity Lutheran Church in Ventura, where she developed a strong love for God, a loving church family, and a circle of friends. Jill was active in 4-H as a member of the Loma Vista 4-H Club. She grew up showing lambs at the Ventura County Fair, where she won numerous ribbons and awards in the show ring. Jill was an All-CIF track star, Senior Class President, and Junior Class Homecoming Princess at Buena High School, graduating in 1987. Jill followed her sister Brenda to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she majored in Agricultural Science, graduating in 1993. She was active in all livestock showing enterprises and horse projects the university had to offer. Jill was a member of the Eta Psi Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Cal Poly, where she served as the Upsilon pledge class president, took on many leadership positions, and made her dearest college friends. She enjoyed all sorority events and collegiate activities.
Jill married Tom Bors in 1994, and they had two children together, whom Jill adored. Dale and Grace were the joy of her life. She was always there for her children to love and guide them. She was everyone’s mom, having dozens of children walk through her door for movie nights, dinners, or rousing board games. In addition to her deep love and dedication to Dale and Grace, she was a devoted daughter, sister, and aunt. She loved Halloween and decorating for Christmas, hosting family and friends for dinner, and pouring a good glass of wine. She had a wicked wit and humor, and her laughter was contagious. She was kind, positive, and there for any friend in their time of need. Jill treasured her children, her family, and her friends. One of her great joys was riding and showing horses in trail trials and reining. She had a passion for all things related to horseback riding and shared that passion with her daughter Grace while appreciating the handyman skills of her son Dale, who can fix anything.
Her ability to bring anyone into the conversation and remember every person's name she ever met provided her the perfect opportunity to become a top-performing sales representative. Jill’s career in livestock feed sales spanned over three decades, and she cherished the work she did at Farmers Best Feed in Keys, California. Her Farmers Family was a second family, and she was held in high esteem by her colleagues. She was willing to put in the long hours and intense effort to reach the pinnacle of her profession. Jill was devoted to her feed store clients, and her travels visiting her California and Nevada stores gave her the opportunity to touch countless individuals with her dedication and exceptional customer service.
Jill was a member of the Dixon May Fair Board for twenty years and felt that youth livestock shows and fairs were vital to the development of children and a cornerstone of the community. She served as a sheep and rabbit leader for twenty-five years, where she shared her deep passion for exhibiting livestock with her children and the local 4-H and FFA youth in her community, providing a location for anyone to raise their lambs and mentoring them in fitting and showing.
In the last nineteen months, Jill underwent a brave battle with brain cancer. Her positive attitude of “We got this!” and the strength of her character supported and sustained her and those around her. When first diagnosed, she was told to complete her bucket list. To that Jill replied, “There is nothing left; I have done it all. I have led a truly amazing life!”
To her dear college friends, loyal Dixon friends, and dedicated colleagues, your endless support, love, friendship, care, compassion, and just being there by her side as she fought the good fight, thank you. Jill loved you all.
Jill is survived by her children, Dale and Grace Bors; her mother, Irene Turner; her sister, Brenda Lacey (Mark); nieces, Molly and Katie Lacey; former sister-in-law and friend, Mary Grimmer (Chuck); nephews, Gabe, Garrett, and Grant; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jill is preceded in death by her father, Fred Turner; her paternal grandparents, H. Keith and Vivian Turner; and maternal grandparents, Andrew and Eleanor Flory.
Jill’s passion was agriculture, particularly livestock showing and leadership. If you would like to do so, please send a donation in her name to the Cal Poly Foundation, The Turner Scholarship Endowment in memory of Jill Turner, Cal Poly, DSS/Heron Hall, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0444, or the charity of your choice.
The Celebration of Life will take place at Olde Vets Hall 231 N First St in Dixon, California on August 23, 2024, at 1:00 pm.
