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Mary Elizabeth Harris “Bessie” Turner
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Educator.
Born at Winnipeg on 7 April 1905, daughter of Nina May Harding (1873-1926) and Percy Dewart Harris, she taught at Carlton School (1926-1927), Robert H. Smith School (1927-1931), Queenston School (1931-1937), and Aberdeen School (1937-1943). She then spent 30 years as an instructor at the Manitoba Teachers' College (1947-1962) and the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba until retirement in 1970. For three additional years, she taught in the primary department of Talmud Torah School until final retirement in June 1973.
On 21 June 1948, she married drama professor David Harold Turner at the Knox United Church. They had no children. She was an active member of Knox United, serving on its choir.
She died at her Winnipeg home, 21 Abercorn Grove, on 22 August 1974. She is commemorated by the Bessie Turner Memorial Prize, given to a graduating student in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba with highest promise of professional competence in the field of primary teaching.
Birth registration [Mary Elizabeth Harris], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Engagement notices,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 May 1948, page 16.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 23 August 1974, page 18.
We thank Evelyn Ward for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 21 January 2026
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