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Donna Mott Turney 16 Dec 1926 - 11 January 2026, age 99
Granddaughter of Rocco Vincenzo Sarli AKA Joseph Louis Mott
Donna Faye "Betty" Mott Turney, 99, passed away at her home in Alamogordo, NM, on 11 January, 2026. Betty was born on December 17, 1926 in Lehi, Utah, the fifth of 12 children, to Jacob Lyman and Elsie Sowards Mott.
Betty enjoyed a life-long passion of learning. She graduated from high school in 1943 as valedictorian of La Jara High School, La Jara, Colorado, and then graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Bacteriological Sciences in 1947 from Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado. She began her medical technology career shortly thereafter at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In 1949, she married John F. "Jack" Turney, and together they raised four children. After their marriage, Jack began his career in the National Park Service, and Betty continued working in the medical technology field for another 30 years, including performing research in Los Alamos, NM, as well as working in laboratories in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas. When Jack retired from the National Park Service after 30 years of service, Jack and Betty purchased and operated White Sands Concessions from 1981 to 1996.
Her passion for learning, combined with a love of plants acquired from growing up on a farm, led Betty to become a Master Gardener. She eventually became President of the Alamogordo Garden Club, and ultimately, President of the New Mexico State Garden Club in 2001.
In her twilight years, despite failing eyesight, Betty continued her quest for learning by listening to audio books each night and keeping up with current events. All who knew her well were amazed by her mental acuity, especially in her later years.
Betty is survived by a brother, Dr. Joseph Mott, a sister, Jeannie (John) Brandis, and all of her children -- daughters Janet White and Elizabeth Schellman (Mark), and sons Brian Turney (Carol), and John Turney. Jack and Betty also have 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
The memorial service for Donna "Betty" Turney will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1800 23rd Street, Alamogordo, NM.
Inurnment in the Santa Fe National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
