Marlee Turner of Raymond, Maine died peacefully on November 28th, 2018 in Enchanted Oaks, Texas at the age of 85. Marlee was born in Bronxville, New York to parents Henry Chandlee Turner, Jr. (son of the founder of Turner Construction Company), and Virginia Ann (Melick) Turner, and was raised in the Quaker family tradition. Marlee graduated from all-girls school, Rosemary Hall (now Choate Rosemary Hall) in Greenwich, Connecticut. She went to Swarthmore University and Stanford University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She began with a career in teaching, then Married John “Jay” Whitcraft and together raised their 3 boys, John, Steven, and David. Never content with staying at home, she was active in League of Women Voters, and co-founded the public relations consulting firm CKT Associates (which had critical assignments leading to the success of the 1984 Olympics, and the start of the Los Angeles “Metro” transit system) and later became an owner of Northern Pines Health Resort and Bed and Breakfast in Raymond, Maine. She ran for the office of State Representative for her district in Maine, and although not elected, she met many new people who became friends. Even as her bout with Multiple Sclerosis took its toll on her ability to walk later in life, she remained active in her B&B business for many years, always ensuring that her guests’ needs were met, they felt welcome, they enjoyed conversation, and she made cooked-to-order breakfasts through the past summer season. She also enjoyed seeing friends at Rotary, swimming at the pool, Senior Center, playing bridge and church on Sundays. Over the past several years, Marlee came to Texas for Thanksgiving with family and to spend the winter at the lakehouse on Cedar Creek Lake with many friends she met in the Mabank area. Marlee was strong-minded, loved life, and was always optimistic. She truly cared about people, enjoyed exchanging ideas, and was always encouraging to others. Marlee had an infectious laugh, and loved to find humor with family and friends. She was fearless and courageous. She believed you can do anything you set your mind to do. One of her proudest achievements was accomplishing her Gypsy Queen which is the highest award at Camp Wohelo (in Raymond, ME), where she attended as a camper and counselor, and which led to her interest in locating to the area later in life. Marlee always looked for the positive in every encounter. Although she enjoyed a good argument, she never held a grudge, and looked ahead to a better future. She was very active with “worthy causes”, volunteering, working and enjoying time with new and old friends every day of her life. She particularly enjoyed traveling by train, loved being outdoors with nature, listening to loons, watching cows and other wildlife, and going for long walks. She enjoyed canoeing, swimming, working crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader. She loved to eat with friends, often saying “delicious” regardless of the fare. Marlee was a spiritual person, believed deeply in God and the lessons of the Bible, always teaching and helping others. She stayed active in Quaker Meeting (in Dallas and in Portland) and American Friends Service Committee. She was also member of the St. Jude Catholic Church in Gun Barrel City. Marlee had friends literally all over the world, having traveled to Nepal, Russia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, all over Europe and has been to 49 of the 50 states. Marlee was a remarkable mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, who will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marlee was preceded in death by her parents, sister Ann, husband Cullen “Cal” Carpenter; survived by by John Andrew Whitcraft Jr., Pat Coughlan, and special friend Phillip Pride.
She is survived by her loving sons: John Whitcraft III and wife Connie of California, Steve Whitcraft and wife Ann of Dallas, and David Whitcraft of California; grandchildren: Parker, Luke, and Hope, niece Ginger von Wening and Kris Meisling of Palo Alta, CA, niece Kari von Wening of Hawaii, nephew Max von Wening III of Palm Desert, CA, other loving family members and many more lifelong friends.
