Mary Jane Turner, 78, of Vermont, passed away on November 9, 2025. She was born on April 7, 1946, to Paul and Hilda Burkewitz, and grew up in Irasburg, Vermont, where she built strong roots and lifelong connections.

Mary Jane trained as a hairdresser, but her path soon led her in a different direction—and at age 21, she set off on a cross-country road trip with her lifelong friend Judy Daggett (Libby), an adventure she remembered fondly for the rest of her life. Shortly after returning home, she married David Turner on February 10, 1968, settling in Irasburg to begin a partnership that shaped the years ahead - never straying far from her family and where she grew up.  Family was the center of all she did.

She later worked at North Country Hospital, and then found her calling as a dispatcher for both the Newport Police Department and the Vermont State Police, retiring from the State Police in 2009 after almost 25 years of service. Though she could get worked up when things weren't right, she always kept her composure on the job and was valued for her sharp instincts and steady professionalism, even in the most hectic moments.

Mary Jane was a proud member of The Order of the Eastern Star and a founding member of the Parent Teacher Committee at Irasburg Elementary School, where she helped foster a strong sense of community and support for local families. She was a lifelong member of the Irasburg United Church and volunteered countless years at the Irasburg Church Fair, where her energy and commitment made her a familiar and welcome presence.

She was predeceased by her husband David Turner, and by her brothers Durwood and Rodney, along with Rodney's wife Wanita. She is survived by her brother James Burkewitz and his wife Cindi. Additional surviving family includes her brother-in-law Doug (Peter) Jenks, and sisters-in-law Cindy Turner, Connie Turner, and Linda Lawson. She was predeceased by brothers-in-law Carl Guiranna, Laurent (Sonny) Cote, Earl Turner, Paul Turner, and James Turner; and by sisters-in-law Clair Guiranna, Ann (PeeWee) Cote, Lois Jenks, and Mary Turner.

Mary Jane leaves behind her two children: Amy Leroux and her husband Dale; and Michael Turner with his loving partner Becky Dion. She was the proud grandmother of Elijah Leroux and his wife Ashley, Gardner Leroux, Simon Leroux, and her only granddaughter, Everly, who held a special place in her heart as her only granddaughter. She also considered Becky's three boys—Jacob, Tyler, and Justin—part of her extended family. She will be missed as well by several nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Mary Jane liked her cats—especially her Siamese cats—who were her loyal companions over the years and rarely far from her side. She enjoyed watching the birds that visited her feeder, though she had far less patience for the squirrels who raided it, and wasn't shy about taking aim at them with her BB gun from the window. She liked what she liked—her little Millers, Virginia Slims, and plain Wise potato chips—and those who knew her best will remember her exactly that way.

Services will be held at the Irasburg United Church on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon for all will follow downstairs at the church.
Should friends desire, donations may be made to the Irasburg United Church in her memory. On-line condolences are welcome at curtis-britch.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.