Longtime Durango resident Margaret Turnell celebrated her 95th birthday April 14 with about 180 guests, including friends and family who live in Durango and others who traveled from all over the United States.

Turnell was born April 14, 1923 in Granbury, Texas, married Orbie Curtis Turnell in 1942 and they moved to Durango in 1950. She worked at Woolworth’s, which was located on Main Avenue in the space now occupied by Eolus Bar and Dining, for 31 years before she retired in 1991. She also worked part time at Wegher’s grocery store.

Turnell’s husband passed away in 1964 and she never remarried.

She gave birth to three sons: Leon, now deceased; Roy, who still lives in Durango; and Tom, who lives in Houston. She also has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Turnell remains a faithful member of First Southern Baptist Church and is still an active member of the Durango community. She loves to hang out with her friends and enjoys jigsaw puzzles in her free time.

Also at her party was Matt Palmer of the Bar D Wranglers, who played fiddle while everyone sang “Happy Birthday.” Her preacher, Clyde Johnson, also gave a short speech.

fstone@durangoherald.com