Joanne Maria Turpin

Joanne Marie Turpin

Born in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle to German immigrants John Breuer and Frida Schirmer, she attended St. George School, Holy Names Academy, and graduated from the U.W. School of Journalism in a time when few women entered that field — one of only two women in her class. She married Robert C. Turpin in 1955 and raised two daughters on Beacon Hill while pursuing her writing career.

She was a published author of many books about Catholic Church history and the role of women in it. Always wanting to give back to her community, she co-founded the Georgetown Service Center. Her final career: bussing tables at The Varsity Inn until the age of 87 — a job she loved because of all the new friends she made there.

The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, Karen Ellsworth and Sarah Fraser, for their loving care over the past five years. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Bob. Survived by her daughters Patty and Sharon; her sister Mary Breuer of Vancouver, B.C; many nieces and nephews; and her two grand-kitties, Chanelle and Tinkerbelle.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 11:00 am at Holy Rosary Church, 4210 SW Genesee Street.

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Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle