Mary Jane Turley Sgheiza
August 31, 1938 - February 7, 2026
A loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, great grandmother, Sorority sister, volunteer, and friend; Mary Sgheiza was born to Everett John and Eva Marjorie Turley, along with her twin sister Merle, on August 31, 1938, in Stockton, California. She attended Lottie Grunsky Elementary, Stockton Junior High School, and Stockton College (Lower Division). In school, Mary excelled in both tennis and track, and was very involved in Job’s Daughters. When she was 19, Mary afford worse joined the Beta Sigma Phi service sorority, and was a committed and loving member of the Alpha Pi Master chapter here in Stockton, where she held many chapter and regional positions on many boards, committees, and councils, as well as volunteering with her chapter sisters in local events such as the annual Asparagus Festival. Sorority was a commitment throughout her adult life and she was as active member for 69 years.
In November, 1956, Mary wed Alfred Sgheiza in Morris Chapel with a reception in the 540 Building. Shortly after their marriage began, Alfred began service in the U.S. Army in Germany. Upon his return, Mary and Al purchased a home in Stockton’s Mayfair District, in which they lived until Afred died in 2004. Mary remained at their home until her passing, on February 7, 2026.
Professionally, Mary spent years in the Financial Services Industry, for 38 years with Bank of America and another 10 years with Merrill Lynch. During her daughter Laurie’s school years, Mary served as a leader for both Bluebirds and Camp Fire Girl groups, as well as being a competitive bowler in Women’s Leagues at Pacific Avenue Bowl. From the late 70’s through the 90’s, Mary and Al were active members of the Stockton Water Ski Club, and also loved attending state conventions for Mary’s sorority, where they met new friends who became lifelong travel companions.
After Alfred’s passing, Mary enjoyed bi-monthly Bunco Night’s with friends; she and close friend and fellow Beta Sigma Phi sister, Jan Gerst, volunteered each month as docents at Haggin Museum, and she spent many hours preparing creative materials devoted to making Holiday and get well cards for Veterans, serving members of the military, as well as get well and birthday cards for friends and family and her sorority sisters. During the summers, Mary and her girlfriends loved being a part of the Stockton Port’s’ Silver Sluggers senior citizen cheering section during home games.
Through her entire life; by way of family, friends, and her much loved sorority sisters and affiliated groups, Mary’s life was about loving and giving, and service to others.
Mary is survived by her daughter Laurie Davison, her granddaughter Ashley Deja, and her great-grandchildren Mia, Henry, Connor, and Tommy, all of Michigan; sister-in-law Rose Marie Wall, of Morada, nieces Toni Chavarria (Scott) of Lenore, California, and Lisa Gunn of Durham, California; nephews Dennis Jones, Bob Bartman (Susan), John, and Chuck, grand-nephews Charles and Shawn Bartman, all of Stockton, and Alex Fisher Bartman of Austin, Texas. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Sgheiza, her parents, Ed and Marge Turley, her twin sister, Merle Schauer, and her brother-in-law, Harry Schauer.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you consider a donation to the service charity of your choice.
SERVICE
A service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240, with a reception to follow.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Sgheiza family.