Teresa Rose Turner

Teresa (Terri) Rose Heinz Turner, age 78, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, at her home in Ladera Ranch, CA.

Terri was born on April 3,1946 to parents William Louis Heinz and Edna Rose Quirk Heinz in Cicero, IL. She was the 2nd child born in what would be a family of 10 children. As a young child, Terri moved with her family from the Chicago area to Minneapolis and eventually made a home in Spring Lake, MI where she attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary and Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1964. In 1965 Terri’s family again moved, this time across the country to Riverside, CA. Terri shared the drive with four of her sisters in a VW Beetle. She was not happy about leaving Michigan because she had a boyfriend, John Turner. John and Terri married in Riverside, CA on May 7, 1966 and soon welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Lorene on February 16, 1967, followed by their son, John Mac on September 16, 1968. They lived in Palm Desert for several years and then moved to Oregon. John and Terri divorced in 1978.

After her divorce, Terri and her children moved back to Riverside where they made their home until Jennifer and John graduated from high school. Terri worked hard to support her family, holding various jobs as a waitress, travel agent, sales representative for Revlon and Beauty Consultant for multiple retail chains including CVS. Terri moved to Costa Mesa in Orange County, CA in 1990 and in 2013 moved to Ladera Ranch, CA where she lived out the remainder of her life.

Above all else, Terri was a devoted Mom to her children and Nana to her 5 grandchildren. She loved the beach and every July rented a beach house with her family in Newport Beach, CA, spending countless hours soaking up the sun, riding Boogie Boards in the surf, playing Wiffle Ball in the sand and making lasting memories with her immediate and extended family. Terri was a hands-on Nana and fully participated in her grandchildren’s lives resulting in close and loving relationships.

In her early years Terri developed strong relationships with her 9 siblings that lasted throughout her lifetime. Terri was close to her mother Edna who was a strong influence in her life and a support for her in the years when she was raising her children. As an adult, Terri never missed a family celebration of numerous births, weddings, birthdays, graduations etc. and shared many memorable times with her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, as well as her immediate family.

Terri is survived by her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Curt Polack, grandchildren Jake, Ben and Abby Polack; son John and daughter-in-law Deedrea Turner, grandchildren Heather and Ashley Turner; siblings Julie McPherson, Suzanne and Jim Christian, Mariette and Andy Klein, Anne Poulsen, Bill and Marty Heinz, Bridget and Andy Wikidal, Mike and Sandra Heinz, Molly and Paul Phillips; 24 nieces and nephews, and 43 great nieces and nephews.

Terri is preceded in death by her parents, brother Gregory Joseph Heinz, brothers in law Bob McPherson and Larry Poulsen.