Julia Mae (Gibau) Turner, affectionately known as “JuJu”, 89, of New Bedford died unexpectedly Thursday, July 23, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Herbert R. Turner, with whom she had shared 64 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Mabel (Lopes) and Henry Gibau, Julia lived in New Bedford for all of her life.
She was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church and served for a time as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.
Julia was formerly employed at the New Bedford Home for the Aged and UMass Dartmouth, formerly SMU, as an admissions assistant and a secretary in the counseling center until her retirement.
A humble and tender hearted woman, Julia loved babies and adored her grand and great-grandchildren. She had great faith, compassion and warmth, and was beloved by all who knew her.
Survivors include her son, Robert H. Turner and his wife Terri of Plymouth; her daughter, Pamela L. Haywood and her husband Steven of Randolph; three granddaughters, Sheri Smith of Bourne, Jennifer Meeks of Henderson, Nevada, and Camyle Haywood of Margate, Florida; three great-granddaughters, Jayla, Ava, and Leah; her great-grandson, Elijah; her sister, Marie E. Barnes of New Bedford; her brother, Henry Gibau, Jr. of Maryland; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Jeanne and Caroline Gibau, and Hilda “Ginger” Santos; and her daughter-in-law, Michelle M. Turner.
Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.