This week has obviously been one of the toughest in my life. The death of my mother, Angela Piazza Turley, was not unexpected. She died a few days shy of her 98th birthday after a long struggle.
She was my inspiration and my North Star as a public interest lawyer. I dedicated my recent book to her as the person “who taught me that life is an unyielding passionate pursuit of justice.”
I was the baby of five kids and spent much of my childhood clinging on to her skirts for dear life as she confronted slum landlords, wife beaters, and gang bangers in the Uptown area.
As the Sun-Times reported, “Angela Piazza Turley’s backbone and willpower fueled positive change in Chicago for decades.”
She was the toughest person I have ever known. Growing up as a Sicilian coal miner’s daughter in the depression in Ohio, she learned how to fight hard to survive. My father and mother arrived in Chicago with less than $2 in their pockets at night in the dead of winter. They bought two cups of coffee (the only thing that they could afford). Before they left, my mother had a job as waitress.
Fresh from World War II, my father came to Chicago to study under Mies van der Rohe and became one of his closest associates. (He is buried near Mies at Graceland Cemetery). Even after my father became a partner in Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, my mother never forgot what it was to be dirt poor and spent her life helping others as a social worker, president of Jane Addams Hull House, and the founder of a myriad of public service groups in Chicago, including a community credit union to support local businesses and families.
She was fearless and fierce in fighting for others. She left a mark on Chicago in the lives of thousands who benefitted from her work over nine decades.
As I return to work, I wanted to say thank you to the thousands who have posted messages on my blog and my X account. I cannot express how much it has meant to me and my family. This has always been a community, but, in the last week, it felt more like an extended family. I read aloud many of your comments to my family and we felt that we were surrounded by thousands of loving arms. I never felt alone despite losing one of the central figures in my life.
I will be writing about my Mom next week as we prepare for her mass and funeral in Chicago on August 1-2 at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church on the Northside of Chicago. Until then, I can only say thank you, every one of you, for being there.
Professor Turley,
My condolences on the death of your mother. May the countless memories of her help you through these difficult days. May the Lord enfold her in his kindness.
Respectfully,
Bill Gorski
Arlington Heights,
Illinois
God Bless ♡-|-♡
My sincere condolences for the loss of your most precious mother. Mr. Turley, my thoughts and deep prayers will be lifted up for you and your entire family during this difficult time. Carry forth Jonathan what your dear mother has taught you over the years of your life, knowing that she will always be looking down upon you. Lastly, above all, remember, never forgetting, that you WILL see her again one day in God’s Kingdom.
..and Thank YOU Prof. Turley.. for sharing how much you have loved, admired and appreciated this amazing Courageous Woman who is your Mother and her impact on your Life… even though your words make me teary eyed for the profound human experience of loss you have shared.. I still use the present tense ‘IS’ not ‘was..’ because she IS still there, just not in the physical dimension.. you have the opp. now to forge an even more profound relationship with your newest and no doubt most active Guardian Angel, most appropriately named ‘Angela.’ May God Bless you both.
May her memory be a blessing. My thoughts are especially with Jennifer at this time.
Condolences to your family and friends.
Continued prayers and blessings for you and each of your family at this time. 🙏❤️🙏
My mom passed 3 years ago and I always say that the greatest gift she gave me is my 7 siblings. Hope you all lean on each other and share memories daily ❤️
May her memory be eternal!
Thoughts and prayers for your Mom and your family.
Best you Mr Turley…I wish you and yours all the best in a time of grief and rememberance.
God bless you- the fruit does not fall far from the tree, my heart is with you and yours
Dear Mr. Turley, let me offer my sincerest condolences for your loss. We met a few years back when waiting for our bags to show up at Reagan and after I shared that I lived in Saudi Arabia about 11 years, you shared a story about your father trying to collect sums due to his firm in Saudi Arabia and ending up in Meccah.
Sincere condolences. Peace be with you & your family.
Heartfelt condolences from a fan who is also a lawyer, is just over a decade older than you, and who lost his own “North Star” 20 months ago. My Mom was 92 years young but her death was unexpected. I dearly miss my own Mom and pray for her soul daily as I know you miss and will continue to miss and pray your own Mom….May our mothers and all lost mothers rest in peace!
May Her Memory Be Eternal…and comfort & encourage & strengthen you in your hour of greatest need 🙏
God bless you and your family. Losing a mom is never easy even if it isn’t unexpected. my mom died at age 94 and she was still very sharp Mom’s love will always have an influence in our lives
Sorry for your lost.
Jonathan, I don’t know you personally, but I am so sorry for your loss. Moms are so special…
My sympathy to you and your family. She sounds like a wonderful woman.