Obituary of Martha Ann Turnquist

Martha Ann (Marty) Turnquist, of Tucson Arizona, passed away on August 31, 2020 at the age of 88. She will be missed by her three children, Eric (Sandy) Eissenstat of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Edmund (Margo Cooper) Eissenstat of Superior, Colorado; Everett (Janet) Eissenstat of Alexandria, Virginia and six grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents Ethel M. and H. Stanley Turnquist, her brother Peter Turnquist, and her son Ebert Stanley Rubin Eissenstat.

She was born on October 31, 1931 in Jamestown, New York. A lifelong student, she earned a B.S. in General Studies from the University of Rochester in 1955, an M.A. in English from the University of Rochester in 1958, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kansas. She later earned an M.S. in Rehabilitation from University of Arizona 1979. She was married and divorced twice. First to Bernard W. Eissenstat, originally from Rochester, New York and later to Alan Mansfield Dodd, of Arizona.

She led an active life and donated time and treasure to many different organizations including, in her early years, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women and the Flagstaff Symphony Guild. Later in life she actively celebrated her Swedish heritage through her participation in the Tucson chapter of the Vasa Order of America. An avid animal lover, she supported numerous organizations devoted to their well-being, including the Animal Welfare League. Marty began her career as an English professor. Later in life her career focused on health care, serving as a registered nurse throughout the Tucson area for more than 40 years.

She attended Unity Church of Tucson. Following arrangements by Angel Valley Funeral Home, she will be interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Jamestown, New York. In her memory, please consider supporting the Green Valley Animal Welfare League.