DETROIT (WXYZ) — WXYZ Channel 7 legend Marilyn Turner has died, family confirmed to 7 News Detroit.
Turner started at Channel 7 in the 1970s as a weathercaster. Over the next two decades, she and her husband John Kelly hosted the popular WXYZ talk show "Kelly and Company" as well as "Good Afternoon Detroit."
In 2008 to mark our station's 60th anniversary, Turner returned to Broadcast House to anchor our 7 p.m. newscast alongside Kelly and Bill Bonds.
The best of "Kelly & Company": From the WXYZ archives
Turner was 93 years old. Kelly died in 2016 at the age of 88.
Read the family's full obit below:
White fluffy clouds dancing joyfully in the crystal clear sky reflecting the color of her alluring blue eyes.
Temperature a splendid 77 degrees, zero humidity.
A gentle breeze carries the fresh scent of spring through her golden hair and softly whispers, you are Home.
A glorious day today and every day from now on for Detroit's favorite weather forecaster and talk show host.
One thing nice about Michigan weather: Marilyn Turner
Marilyn made the journey to her Heavenly Home March 18, 2024.
One can only imagine the joyful barking, and tails wagging as Marilyn approached the Rainbow Bridge.
Patiently waiting, finally, their mom stopped to pick them up on her way to Heaven.
Marilyn was never without at least one dog by her side. More often she had multiples. If she could have, she would have rescued every animal that was in need of a loving home.
Marilyn was the best fur mother and dearly loved animals donating her time, talent and money to many animal rescues.
Marilyn Patricia Turner was the only child of Carmen and Evelyn Miller.
Born on February 5, 1931, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Marilyn was an excellent figure skater. and was recruited to be part of the Ice Capades.
She declined as she was attending the University of Western Ontario where she studied psychology before switching to teaching.
While attending University, Marilyn caught the eye of a handsome football star and medical student from Kitchener, Ontario.
Marilyn married Doctor Robert Ross Turner in 1950,
While still residing in Canada they had a son, Robert Ross Turner in 1952.
Marilyn began her modeling career and doing print ads for local retailers in Canada.
Doctor Turner accepted a position at Oakwood hospital in Dearborn, Michigan.
They moved to the U.S and Marilyn continued her modeling career and became a commercial spokesperson.
In 1958 their second son, Dean Cameron Turner was born.
In 1961 at the age of thirty, Marilyn known as “Miss Fairweather” became a weekend weathercaster at Detroit television station WJBK, (channel 2).
In 1972 Marilyn moved to WXYZ (channel 7) where she joined the Action News Team and continued forecasting the weather 5 nights a week.
John Kelly and Marilyn Turner met when they worked at WJBK, but it wasn't until Marilyn began working on the Action News team that they started dating. They married in December of 1974 after they finished their 6:00 p.m. newscast.
Known as the "Power Couple of Detroit," WXYZ pitched the idea, for a new type of live, morning program with a studio audience.
On October 25, 1978 Kelly & Company made its debut.
The ninety-minute, live show was viewer friendly, community focused and guest oriented.
The show soon became first in its time slot and attracted many famous guest celebrities and Presidents that were interviewed, live, on the show.
The popularity of Marilyn and John was so explosive the station created Good Afternoon Detroit in 1982 which aired live every afternoon. The show ended in 1986.
Kelly and Company had a long run, the show aired for 17 years.
The mornings were very early and the days were long but Marilyn loved the life she lived while in the limelight.
She also enjoyed her peaceful days when the whirlwind was over spending time with family, friends and her precious animals.
Marilyn is survived by her devoted and loving son, Dean Cameron Turner, her grandson she adored, Chase Cameron Turner, friend and daughter in law, Deborah Haus-Turner, longtime make-up artist/stylist and loyal friend, Robin Manoogian, dear friends, Butch and Louanne Temesy and lifelong friend, Joan Mehl.
Marilyn’s life was greatly enriched by the loving care she had over the last 6 years while residing at Ambrosia Villa, Beverly Hills.
The impeccably clean and comfortable ranch with 6 residents and two full time care givers was a perfect setting and felt like home.
Victoria Svedt and her wonderful team, Paz, Enden and Jim treated Marilyn like one of their own.
We can’t thank them enough for all they have done over the years.
We were blessed to find true angles on earth.
Proceeded in death sadly her son, Robert Ross Turner, daughter in law Wynelle W. Turner, Dr. Robert Ross Turner and husband, John Kelly.
As happy as her animals were to see her coming, we are just as sad to see her walk away.
But knowing what we know about Heaven, believing that she’s all the way Home.
Knowing that there’s no place better is all we need to let her go.
And the thought that makes us smile now, even as the tears fall down, is that the only scars in Heaven are on the hands that hold her now.
We miss you already
Until we meet in Heaven, God Speed Marilyn Turner.
A memorial service will be held on June 3, 2024 at Franklin Community Church
26425 Wellington, Franklin MI 48025.
Visitation 1:00 – 3:00
Funeral service 3:00
In remembrance of Marilyn’s life and her love for helping others, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, charitable donations be made to Franklin Community Church Mission Ministry-Feeding Hungry Bodies and Spirits.
Thank you for your heartfelt condolences.
