Against the Odds

AGAINST THE ODDS 108

AND FEELING GREAT

By Amanda Dahl

You don’t get to the age of 108 without living through some things. In fact, only a fraction of a percent (0.004 percent, to be exact) of people have ever exceeded 100 years of age, according to Insider. Genevieve Turner of Parc Provence in Creve Coeur is counted among this rare population, at only two years shy of becoming a supercentenarian.

“I survived the [Spanish flu] pandemic of 1918, as a 4-year-old,” Turner recalls. “My two brothers and I moved in with another family. We were separated from [our parents because] my father owned and ran a drugstore, [and] he was exposed to the general public.”

From weathering world-altering events to building a large, close-knit family, this centenarian has always had an independent streak. Up until she turned 104, Turner lived on her own. That strength of spirit shined in the extraordinary getaways she curated.

“I helped coordinate trips with my girlfriends because our husbands weren’t keen to travel,” she says with a laugh. “On one trip, we went to Ireland for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Oh, I loved Ireland! It was fun, fun, fun.”

With her on the Emerald Isle were her son, Steve Turner, and daughter, Mary Mennemeyer, who recall seeing a parade in Dublin for the holiday and witnessing a rainbow over one of its bays. Their mother has traveled throughout Europe, including to Austria, England, Germany and Switzerland. She also took them on camping adventures cross-country.

“We drove after dark, before air conditioning, [because] it was cooler in the evenings,” Mennemeyer says. “We’d roll out sleeping bags in state parks when everybody got tired. One morning, we woke up, and where were we?”

“In a cemetery!” her mother exclaims.

She counts herself fortunate for having almost 50 years with the man she loved. “Bob Turner was a good sport,” she says of her late husband, who was a minister. “We had a very good marriage. I enjoy life for him.”

As to what Turner believes has contributed to her longevity, she states: “It’s luck, mostly luck – [and] keeping a good and positive attitude.” She also credits her steadfast connections to family, neighbors from Webster Groves and friends. A former English teacher for the Special School District of St. Louis County, she remains active through book club, bridge club and garden club.

On Turner’s 108th birthday, she received 100plus cards from her Kappa Delta Sorority sisters, whose families also keep in touch. Celebrations continued with a party at Parc Provence, where Turner enjoyed her favorite treat (butter pecan and strawberry ice cream) and which culminated in reuniting with family from all over the country at her youngest granddaughter’s wedding.

“My children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren have brought me great joy,” Turner says. “Now, my children’s and grandchildren’s trips give me a personal joy in life [through] sharing stories and pictures of their adventures.”