Obituary of Helen Ann BlitchTurco

Helen "Ann" Blitch Turco, Funeral Services for Ann Turco will be held on, Tuesday Oct. 26, 2010 at 11:00AM at The Community Chapel in Melbourne Beach, FL and then a graveside service at 11:00AM on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010 at Blitchton Family Cemetery, Blitchton, FL. Ann Blitch Turco, 78, a resident of Melbourne Beach, was born on January 21, 1932 in Ocala, Fl, and died at her home on October 24, 2010. She is preceded in death by her husband of 48yrs, Lt. Col.(Ret. USAF) Francis S. Turco. She is Survived by her brother, Sim Blitch of LaGrange, GA; son, Michael Landis (Laura) of Orlando, FL, and son, Douglas Lee of Celebration,FL; two grandsons, Nicholas and Zachary; step-granddaughter, Leslee, and one great-grandchild, Sarah Beth. Ann grew up as a country girl in Blitchton, FL, graduated from Ocala High School, and graduated with a degree in education from Florida State University. Mrs. Turco traveled the world with her Air Force Weather Service husband, raising their two sons. They retired to Melbourne Beach in 1983 and she loved her life on the ocean. Ann loved to travel and see the sights of the world. Mrs. Turco was quite involved with her church, The Community Chapel on Melbourne Beach; she was an American Red Cross Volunteer for 36 years; volunteered with the American Cancer Society and was herself a breast cancer survivor; was very active with the Patrick Air Force Base's Retired Officers Wives Club and was their " Sunshine Chairman" for many years; and was awarded the " Civilian Volunteer of the Year" for Patrick Air Force Base in 2008 for her volunteer service there in the hospital. Ann never met a stranger- she loved to chat with people and find out what they had in common. She will be dearly missed by many. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be directed to the American Red Cross, The American Cancer Society , Hospice of Health First or the Scholarship Fund of the Military Officers Association of America(MOAA.org) Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Ocala, Florida.