The Values of a Hero

Marta’s Story

Witten by: Crystal Stewart

The dictionary defines a hero as a person of courage, strength, resilience; someone that causes change.

During Marta Turner’s 73 years on this earth (02/03/1947 - 12/01/2020), she sought to live out these values actively and earnestly. Her commitment to her family and community was a testament to her unwavering courage, strength, and kindness.

Marta passionately believed in taking care of the environment and was a firm believer in recycling. As a result of her hard work and the help of others, she started and became the Director of the Rome/Floyd County Recycling Center in 1992. Marta handled this task while also raising two small girls as a single mom.

Adversity did not halt her commitment to helping others.

Her community became an extended family. She retired in 2008, having made massive progress in informing the county about recycling and spearheading a means to make it possible. 

Marta continued to give back to others through her invested volunteerism in Soles4Soles, a non-profit agency responsible for distributing shoes worldwide to those in need; and NAMI, a  mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. In May 2019, she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. My sister, Amy, returned to Rome to help take care of Mom and spend all the precious time together we could. Mom tried various treatments and fought her battle in good spirits and was surrounded by people she loved. She showed resilience and strength daily and is the toughest lady I know. It was an honor for us to be her caregivers, and to be able to enjoy all of the small things that made her happy. The last year was challenging for all of us, but we find comfort in knowing she is now at peace and will always watch over us. 

Mom’s cancer journey was filled with compassionate people. She was surrounded by family, great doctors, nurses and staff, flowers, wind chimes, all the kinds of foods and drinks, juices and smoothies, and lots of time together. Mom passed away December 1, 2020, and left her earthly life to join her parents, brother, and all those who passed before. As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with tremendous gratitude. My mom showed me what a difference the power of positivity and a good attitude makes.

Serving others with a heart full of love, a listening ear, and a willingness to help others exemplified her life. I’ve also learned that resilience often comes through struggles, and, as it turns out, we do get stronger as we go through hard things. 

Mom’s journey of life has taught me to use my passion to help others, be kind, learn resilience through struggle, be confident in my strengths, and realize that life isn’t promised to anyone. I choose to live my life with intention and make family and memories a priority. All journeys end differently, and I choose to focus on the positive parts of ours. Mom asked Amy and I if she could be our guardian angel; to watch over and protect us always. So now, whenever we hear the sounds of wind chimes, or see a cardinal or hummingbird, or feel a gust of wind blow across us, we know she is with us. Marta was an amazing woman, and we are grateful and proud to call her Mom.