Patricia "Patti" Jean Turner

Patricia “Patti” J. Turner, 74, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, in Grand Junction, Colorado. In her final moments, she was surrounded by her family, who love her fiercely and remain incredibly proud and grateful for the strength and courage for every extra day she fought for.

Patti was born on December 29, 1951, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to John T. “Tommy” Combs and Elsie M. Combs.

Over the course of her life, Patti enjoyed living in different places throughout Colorado, as well as in Arizona and California. She was a graduate of Fruita Monument High School and attended the University of Northern Colorado. Patti taught Lamaze classes, sharing her compassion and knowledge with expectant families. She supported the Navajo community, working with a California-based organization to bring food and clothing to families, and opening her home to many. Whether providing outreach to individuals facing difficult times or volunteering at her children’s schools, she was always finding ways to help and make a positive difference. In Estes Park, she owned a gift store with her daughter, Trisha, where, after a loss in their own family, they offered heartfelt gifts and a place of comfort and empathy for those experiencing the loss of loved ones.

She shared 42 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Douglas “Doug” L. Turner, whom she married in December of 1983. They built their lives around time with family and enjoyed taking to the road whenever they could. Through all that life brought their way, they were each other's rock.

Patti lived with metastatic breast cancer for nearly 8 years, facing each day with remarkable courage, grace, and resilience. Even through the difficult seasons, she continued to find reasons to stay strong, to love, to give, and to be present with her family and friends. Her family was her greatest joy, and she had a special gift for making each person in her life feel loved, cared for, and deeply connected to her and to one another. She called each of her children often, and she listened. She poured her heart into building deep and lasting bonds with her children and grandchildren.

Patti found joy in the simple and beautiful things in life. She loved the ocean, long walks on the beach, and spending time in the mountains. She loved making and turning pottery, squirrels, hedgehogs, and finding pinecones, seashells, and heart-shaped rocks. She had a deep appreciation for nature and animals and believed that every person could make a difference in the world.

She loved music, anything from the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to Leonard Cohen, Eddie Vedder, and Jeff Buckley. She was a lifelong reader who wrote poetry of her own, she counted among her favorite books Black Elk Speaks, in which an Oglala Lakota holy man describes a vision of many hoops joined to make one great circle, as Patti did with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Patti is survived by her husband, Doug Turner; her children, Tonya Thieman (Jason), Trisha Golding (Shawn), Chelsi Turner (Alejandro), and Taylor Turner (Brittany); her grandchildren, Kaila Mullin (Jody), Cody Thieman (Kirsten), Cole Thieman (Amber), Seb Golding, and Adalyn Golding; and her great-grandchildren, Hazel, Ella, and Oakley. She is also survived by Paul Smith, father of Tonya and Trisha.

She was preceded in death, most recently, by her treasured parents, Tommy and Elsie Combs, who both passed away in 2025. Patti cherished the memories they shared, and there is great comfort in knowing they are reunited.

Patti will be remembered for her extraordinary strength and resilience, her generous spirit, her love of family and nature, and the immeasurable support and care she gave to the people around her. Her presence brought warmth and connection to so many, leaving a legacy of kindness, strength and cherished memories that live on through her family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known her. Our hearts are full of gratitude and light with the memories we hold dear.

At the beach she was always one of the last to leave, waiting for the sun to dip behind the waves. This time, she gets to stay. If you find a heart-shaped stone, pick it up. She would have.

She will be missed beyond measure, loved beyond what words can express, and remembered in more ways than there are stars in the sky. We will always love her to the moon and back, forever.

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” —Inuit Legend

The family thanks the HopeWest team for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HopeWest at https://www.hopewestco.org/donate/