Obituary

Mrs. Theresa Margaret Turpin, age 89, of Litchfield Park, Arizona passed away on March 1, 2021 in Litchfield Park, Arizona. She was born September 6, 1931 to John Vater and Caroline Heigel in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Theresa lived a extraordinary life with her husband of 68 years. Together, they raised 4 children, to which she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts for many years. Theresa had a passion for travel, painting, genealogy, and writing memories to share with her family. She traveled to all 50 states and 62 countries. When Theresa could no longer travel, she continued her passion for both writing memoirs and painting, to include teaching a painting class in her local community. During the last several months of her life she looked forward to her family Zoom get-together every Sunday.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Turpin, her daughter; Mary Turpin Mayer, her sons; Mark Turpin and Bill Turpin, as well as her six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Theresa is preceded in death by both of her parents, all of her siblings and her oldest son, John Turpin III.

There are no services planned at this time, interment is to be held at a later date in southern California.

The family suggests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital or to the Shriner’s hospital for children in Theresa’s name.