Lois Leamy Turpin

Rhinebeck - Lois Leamy Turpin passed away at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck on April 26, 2020. Her life spanned over 91 very full years, yet she would probably sum it up in just two words: family & singing! 

Lois was born, raised and lived most of her life in northern Idaho, and from a very early age she spent every moment she could singing.  Perhaps it was her singing that caught the attention of the boy literally next door, Frank “Turp” Turpin, and during their youth this friendship grew to be much more, resulting in a 1947 marriage that lasted nearly 72 amazing years.  Turp and Lois also each loved their idyllic mountainous surroundings, spending as much time as possible beside northern Idaho’s lakes and streams, or simply hiking through the woods.  Soon their sons, John Louis (Louie) and Richard James (Dick), joined Turp and Lois in their tremendous appreciation of the outdoors.

Lois’ talents as a vocalist always attracted great attention throughout her life, beginning in her pre-teens performing locally and beyond in school and community theater.  Later, during the 1940’s while still in her teens, Lois was the star attraction in front of numerous “big-bands” performing in USO shows for the soldiers at area US military bases.  Lois and family briefly moved away from northern Idaho, living in Washington state and Utah, then returning to northern Idaho’s university town of Moscow, but at each stop, Lois was recruited to perform as a soloist with local bands and choirs.  Turp and Lois moved to New York’s Hudson Valley in 2006 to be near son Louis, his wife Julie and their three daughters, Sarah, Amanda & Alissa, where their favorite pastime soon became watching their three granddaughters compete in various sports for the Rhinebeck High School Hawks.

Lois was predeceased by the love-of-her-life Turp in 2018 and will be laid to rest next to him in Coer D'Alene, Idaho.

In addition to Louis’ family, Lois is survived by her brother & his wife, Walter and Michele Leamy & family, brother-in-law & his wife, Jack and Verna Durick & family, and niece Chris Mael Holden & family. 

As for Lois, we have no doubt that she has joined yet another choir and is singing away!

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, Rhinebeck, NY. 

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