Cynthia Sue Turner

Cynthia Sue Turner, Born September 30, 1936 to Royal and Clara Stone in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cynthia was creative, strong, intelligent and compassionate. She found and created beauty wherever she went and used these gifts to help everyone feel loved and included.

Cynthia’s parents moved often during her youth. She grew up in Salt Lake City, as well as Lewiston ID, and spent her middle and high school years in Portland, OR.

She attended BYU where she was a Cougarette and then transferred to the U of U to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance. Cynthia met her husband, Gerald, at an LDS Institute dance and it was the beginning of a beautiful love story. He was her dance partner, her greatest supporter, assistant production manager and most definitely the love of her life. Together they created a warm and welcoming home base for their children and anyone who entered the door. They also took the show on the road sharing their love of road trips, the California coast, camping and Dutch Oven cooking. Cynthia nurtured her family's appreciation of dance, Shakespeare plays, Native American art, and finding beauty in nature.

Cynthia dedicated considerable time and love to the many roles she played throughout her life, including daughter, sister, wife, mother, artist, teacher, spiritual advisor and life guide. She was an unwavering supporter of the arts. Over her lifetime she was a dancer, teacher, costumer and a patron. As she studied at the U of U, she loved to perform and danced with Joanne Woodbury and Shirley Ririe. Later she taught with Virginia Tanner, helping each child to grow, stretch and find their own dance. She had a unique ability to connect with each dancer, making them feel seen and confident. In addition, Cynthia designed and created thousands of distinctive costumes, extraordinarily beautiful works of art for the dancers. But by all accounts, the performance she is most known for is that of mom, grandma and great grandma. These were also the roles she most cherished.

Cynthia had her final performance July 8, 2026, exiting stage left where her husband, Gerry, her son, Todd, son-in-law, Alex, granddaughter, Britney, along with her parents, siblings and in-laws were waiting in the wings. Audience members who gave her a standing ovation were her children: Shawn (Pam) Turner, Wendy Turner, Holly Eastburn (Alex), Amy (Greg) McVey,

Heather (Jon) Wilson, and Ryan Turner as well as her twenty-two grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and innumerable friends and adopted family, who will greatly miss her deep love, constant support and direction. We are sure that she is happy in her Birkenstocks, tending Heaven’s garden, drinking Diet Coke, eating caramels and once again thrilled to be dancing with the love of her life.

Funeral Service

Cottonwood 1st Ward

5913 South Highland Drive

Holladay, UT 84121

Thursday July 16, 2026

Viewing 10:00 - 11:30 am

Service 12:00 pm

Celebration of Life

The Grandview at Millcreek Common

1354 E. Chambers Avenue

Millcreek, UT 84106

Saturday October 3, 2026

1:00 - 3:00 pm