Obituary of Denise Yvette Turner

Denise Yvette Clark Turner, 48, of Mine Hill , NJ , passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 14, 2014, following a long illness. Mrs. Turner, beloved youngest daughter of Donald and Herta Clark, of Lafayette , was an elementary school teacher at Birchwood School in Rockaway Township for many years. She was born on February 24, 1966 and grew up in Mine Hill , NJ , where she met and fell in love with her husband, Jim Turner. The couple were childhood sweethearts and graduated from Dover High School . Denise also attended William Paterson University and graduated with a TEACHING DEGREE. Denise and Jim were married for 23 years, making their home in Mine Hill, the same town they grew up in, and raising their four children, Jake, Jesse, John, and Amber. Denise loved life, loved to laugh, loved her family and her friends. She was always happy to help others and was very involved in her children's afterschool ACTIVITIES and sports. Denise gave of herself in many ways, including her years as football team-mom and later as a cheerleading coach for the Junior Knights program. She loved being a mom and was so proud of her children. Denise shared that same passion for life and sense of commitment with her colleagues and her students, and was especially loved not only for her caring nature, but her wonderful SENSE OF HUMOR and fun. Denise knew how to laugh at herself and was always willing to share that gift with others. In addition to her beloved husband, James G. Turner, and their children - Jake, Jesse, John, and Amber, all at home, Denise is survived by her parents, Donald and Herta Clark of Lafayette, NJ, her sister, Colette Clark and nieces Olivia and Mylene, of Hackettstown, NJ, her brother Lee Clark and sister-in-law, Michele and nephews Shane, Kyle and Otto Clark, of Kitty Hawk, NC. Mrs. Turner is also survived by her mother-in-law, Barbara Turner, of Dover , NJ , and her sister-in-law, Brenda Turner Vigorito, brother-in-law, Dave Vigorito, and niece and nephew, Carly and Matt Vigorito, of East Stroudsburg, PA, as well as an uncle, William Clark of Dover , and many cousins. Denise also leaves behind many, many friends. Visitors may pay their respects to the family on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 at Tuttle FUNERAL HOME, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). Services to be held at Tuttle FUNERAL HOME on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 411 K Street, NW Suite 800 , Washington D.C. 20005