In August, I discussed the passing of my mother, Angela Turley, just shy of her 98th birthday. Through decades of social work and philanthropy, my mother left a lasting impact on the city that she loved so deeply. I am now able to share the resolution from the City Council honoring her memory and legacy in Chicago. On behalf of our entire family, I would like to thank the city for this kind gesture and particularly 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay and her staff for drafting and finalizing the resolution.
A coal miner’s daughter from Yorkville, Ohio, my mother married my father, Jack Turley, after he returned from service in World War II.
Wanting to be an architect, they decided to go to Chicago so he could study under the most famous architect of the time: Mies van der Rohe, who developed the modern steel-and-glass structures that transformed cities.
The two arrived late on a snowy night in Chicago with $1.37 in their pockets. They stopped in a shop and ordered the only thing that they could afford: a cup of coffee. Before they left that night, my mother had a job as a waitress. She would work to support the family as my father completed his studies on the GI bill.
My father would become one of Mies’s closest associates and, after his death, a partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who helped design some of the most famous buildings in Chicago and around the world.
They would both create a variety of groups to help the poorest and most vulnerable in the city. They also helped support the arts community, including the founding of the St. Nicholas Theater.
My mother would serve as the president of Jane Addams Hull House and the founder of an array of organizations that fought for better housing, education, and safety for the poorest of the city. She helped create one of the first shelters for abused women and a group to maintain support for our public schools.
She ran for city council in the 46th Ward, and the Chicago Tribune described her as the “scrapper” from Uptown seeking to transform the poorest areas into decent places to live.
Some of the organizations that she helped establish are referenced in the city council resolution. They include one of the first and most successful community credit unions in the country.
Both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune also wrote about her legacy.
This is the second resolution honoring her life. The City Council passed the first in 2002. (This resolution was passed earlier, but I just received the official signed copy).
We all still feel a tremendous void in our lives after losing our matriarch, particularly at Christmas (the holiday that she most cherished in life). However, it is a great solace to see that the city still remembers her lifetime of service and contributions.
Thanks again to Alderwoman Clay and the Chicago City Council for their kind efforts to honor my mother.
Here is the new resolution: Angela Turley Resolution.
Thank you for posting this article Professor Turley. Your mother was an incredible woman! I enjoyed learning more about her compassion and kindness!
*. Truly, that was a great generation. PT’s mother was our mothers, too. These brave, industrious women are heroes of another kind.
You must be very proud. Congrats to your entire family.
Truly, sorry I don’t know you and your family. Personally, she must’ve been a real jewel and congratulations to you and the family… Continued appreciation for all that you do
Very nice. She and others like her are proof of the greatest generation.
Whatever your Mom had in her soul, bottle that up for wide distribution.
Johnathan, your mom’s story is good medicine. It’s telling comes as we approach her favorite time of Christmas. She gives us a lived example of the best in us. Peace on Earth and goodwill to all.
Your mother was the very model of “The Greatest Generation”. The best gift of all? She gave us you. Merry Christmas.
A pleasant thought: If there were more Angela Turleys in the world, there would be more Jonathan Turleys in the world to right the ship and keep it steadied through all that flotsam and jetsam.
As it is, she remains one of the sky constellations (celestial navigation) to inspire us along the way.
Your family’s morals and actions are ones that are sadly disappearing in today’s society. The idea of giving of yourself, no matter how much you have, to better others has changed to self gratification. I know a family, that without recognition, has for donated to an organization to purchase land for parks and open spaces while they live simple lives. The Dell family donation gave me some hope that others, like your family, can perhaps motivate others.
I am sure that you will continue in your families tradition.
That’s terrific, Professor Turley.
Your mom sounds like a gem. And she raised you. Congrats to your family for this wonderful recognition.
Wonderful tribute, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this with us Mr. Turley. Your mother and father were precious human beings. No wonder you are who you are! You come from “good stock.”
Thank you for posting this. Your mother will serve as an inspiration to many.
I found myself especially touched to read your heartwarming post, Professor, realizing as I did so how deeply connected to Chicago I feel, even though I only visited once to bury my father’s ashes in our family plot at Rosehill. I have been the family genealogist for four decades now and it has been very enlightening to discover the Chicago area history of my paternal grandparents’ families who eventually crossed paths in The Windy City after moving there from central New York state and Philadelphia. I’m glad to see that the Chicago City Council is doing something right these days, and I’m especially happy that you have been able to see your Mother so rightly honored by them. May Her Memory Be Eternal! 🙏
The Chicago Tribune described her as the “scrapper” from Uptown seeking to transform the poorest areas into decent places to live.
Now that is a tribute right there. 100% awesome.
The don’t make them like the used to!
Just by being part of her life you were all truly blessed. And still are!
Wonderful story and wonderful legacy.