Grace-Marie Turner Obituary

My Dad was Grace-Marie's "boss"/bureau chief at Copley News Service [for newspapers including the San Diego Union] when she was a news reporter back in the day. She was kind enough to attend Dad's funeral.
I met her when she was at Copley.
However, our paths crossed again years later, because I worked for many years for a major health policy journal and asked Grace-Marie to write a guest blog post for the journal section I managed. Subject: her presentation at an Aspen Institute event. It was nice to be back in touch with her.
My condolences to you, Mark, on the passing of your beautiful wife.

Grace-Marie was a bright light and a wonderful woman. She always took time to really connect with everyone she met and on health policy she was a great advocate on a host of issues. I always admired her and she always made time for me. She will be missed. Love to her family.

Mark, we met Grace Marie and you on the banks of the Ohio River during the solar eclipse. We were talking about you and her today at our lake home in Virginia and I googled her name only to learn of this sad news. Prayers from Mary Ann, granddaughter Maddie and me. You are in our prayers.

The passing of Grace-Marie marks a significant loss for the health policy community. The Winston Board and Staff feel privileged to have worked with her and learned so much from her, in and outside of the health policy world. As we reflect on her contributions, it is essential to honor her legacy by remembering her passion, intellect, kindness and unwavering dedication to making health care better for everyone. She will be dearly missed as a friend and colleague.

I didn’t know Grace Marie very well or for very long, but in that short time, she made a deep impression on me with her kindness and generosity. I first met her at St. John’s in Leesburg, when she approached me—completely unprompted—and handed me money so I could take my family out to lunch. Over the next year or so, we would chat after Mass and occasionally share a meal. Each time, I was struck by how genuinely interested she was in my family and my academic work, and by how truly caring she was toward others. I was especially amazed to learn later how prominent she was in DC, as she always took the time to talk with me and showed such warmth and interest. Grace Marie’s kindness left a lasting impression, and I am very grateful to have known her, even for a short while.

Grace's colleagues all appreciated her professional contributions, and many of us benefitted from her personal kindness as well. She will be greatly missed by colleagues and friends. Blessings on her loved ones, and may the Lord bring you comfort.

Grace Marie was married to my brother Mark. Her kindness never wavered in the years I knew her. Her quiet, calm, beautiful presence shined throughout any room she walked into. It always amazed me. Grace Marie was endlessly curious about others but never boasted about herself. Grace Marie will stand high and long in our memory due to her deep commitment to her faith, her generosity of spirit to all and her many professional accomplishments only very few could achieve. She is deeply missed. The world is a smaller place because she is no longer with us.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

Grace-Marie was kind, gracious, intelligent, and forever optimistic for the future. Her warm smile always lit up a room. She was a joy to work with on many different topics. One of my treasured memories is singing Christmas carols around the piano at her lovely Christmas party in their home in Old Town Alexandria. Her passing has left a huge void in the health policy world and in my heart. Rest in peace, sweet lady.

Grace Marie was one of my first friends when I moved to Washington 45 years ago.
We had many wonderful adventures together when we were single and then more good times together as married couples. We were in each other’s weddings. I will always treasure her kindness and warmth and I will miss her.
May she rest in peace in a better place.
Mary Nesbitt

Grace-Marie was a bright light. Beautiful, intelligent, very warm-hearted and highly accomplished. I was fortunate to work with her re. health care reform in the '90s and to become a life-long friend. Grace-Marie's legacy will live on. We were all lucky to have known her. Wishing all friends and family deep peace.

In loving memory of a wonderful friend for many many, many years.

Will miss you tremendously Grace-Marie! You were a bright shining light in the chaos of health care policy and a shining example of advocacy adorned in grace and flair. May your memory always be for a blessing!

A truth telling light with tremendous knowledge.