Tempe, AZ - Susan Kaye Turner died peacefully early Tuesday morning after a 16-month battle with liver cancer.

She was born Sept. 12, 1949, in Garden City, Kansas, to Rev. Ronald and Ruth Shotton, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her siblings, Pamela Showell of Greenfield, Indiana; Rodney Shotton of Mesa, Arizona; and Phoebe Ash of Chandler, Arizona.

She is also survived by her husband, Dr. Merle C. Turner; her children, Ryan Turner, Jennifer Newell, and Chad Turner; and her grandchildren, Isabella Newell, Gabriella Newell, and Jeremiah Newell.

Nicknamed "Spitfire" at a young age, Susan lived with determination and strong faith. She chose to follow Christ at age 11 and graduated from Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. She helped start Mountain Park Community Church, where she loved teaching youth groups and serving her church community.

Susan also helped build a successful medical practice and took great pride in mentoring staff who became like family. She loved traveling to Mexico and spending time at the beach, but her greatest joy was her family — especially cheering on her grandchildren at their games, baking with them, and playing cards together.

A memorial service will be held Monday, March 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Mountain Park Community Church.