Esther Waneta Turner

Esther was born to parents Hazel and Daniel Turner, Sr. on March 24, 1928 in Easton, Maine. Her family farmed potatoes. She grew up as one of eight children and graduated from Easton High School. She received her certification as a registered nurse from New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1951 Esther moved to Houston, Texas, to accept a nursing position at Methodist Hospital. She worked there for many years as head nurse of the Fondren 4 Coronary Care Unit, where she cared for patients of Drs. Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley.

Her work as a registered nurse helped save thousands of human lives.

Esther is survived by her brother, Daniel Turner, Jr.; her sister, Phoebe Turner Mertz Watters; her niece, Michele Mertz Terry; her nephew, Michael Mertz; her dear friends Neena & John Brownlee and Rosie Shaffer; her caretaker Cassandra Harrison; and her large extended family. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Rita Lepovitz, Grace Nasser, and Dena Susee; and her brothers, Bill and Dell Turner.

Friends and Family are invited to celebrate the life of Esther Turner at the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston on Sunday, August 2 at 3PM. Her ashes will be laid to rest in her hometown of Easton, Maine, following a service to be held there in early October at Pine Tree Baptist Church.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, Houston, Texas.