Darryl Turkaly

Darryl Maureen Turkaly, or Didi as she was called by those who loved her the most, left a huge hole in our hearts when she passed away on Friday, August 30. She was loved beyond measure and will be desperately missed although we are comforted that she is no longer suffering. Darryl was born and raised in New Jersey and attended Marylawn of the Oranges High School. She went on to receive an English degree from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia where she met her husband of almost 35 years, Lou, who predeceased her. Lou called her Boomer, a reference to their time spent at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, where they welcomed their only son David. They eventually settled in Colts Neck, New Jersey where Darryl enjoyed the sycamore-lined streets and wide-open spaces. Darryl was a realtor at Gloria Nilson in Holmdel for over 30 years and a parishioner of St. Mary’s in Colts Neck. Later in life, she spent almost 20 years with her companion Arnold Kleeberg. Darryl was a generous and beautiful woman through and through as her many long-term friends and family would attest. She was an avid walker, swimmer, reader, conversationalist, dog lover, sunshine chaser and avoider of television. She loved parks and the beach. Her favorite Broadway show was The Lion King, and she made sure she brought all her favorite people to see it. Darryl enjoyed impromptu solo dance parties and would bounce around the house listening to ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, and John Denver. She liked to talk, and people liked to talk to her. She was a good listener and would handwrite thoughtful letters. Her immense vocabulary made her a skillful crossword puzzler. She also knew what she liked and didn’t like and could be very vocal and particular about the smallest details (such as what sneakers her son chose to wear outside of the house, preferably not his “basketball high-dunkers”). One of her favorite foods was stale marshmallow Peeps. Darryl wasn’t the most confident driver. She would often take three rights to avoid a left turn. She once pulled into a mostly empty parking lot and attempted to sweetly park next to her husband’s car, totaling both vehicles in the process. People often said that when they died they’d want to come back as one of Darryl’s dogs. She thought all dogs needed long walks (as in several miles / hours at a time) and lots of love and home-cooked meals (mainly chicken). You would often find dog biscuits in her bed. Dogs that knew her would squeal with delight when she arrived. Darryl had beautiful relationships with her family. She never came empty-handed when visiting her granddaughters and granddog. She entertained the girls for hours on end, rolling on the floor, doing puzzles, going to parks, painting, playing board games and many other activities that aimed to limit the use of electronic devices. We would often say “Didi knocked them out again” as the kids needed multiple naps to keep up with her. She freely gave her time and attention to those in her life. She would fondly reminisce about the antics of her son and his friends over the years, several of whom spent many nights at the “Turkaly Manor” and were treated as though they were her own. She is survived by her son David, his wife Megan, two adoring granddaughters, Grayson and Hayden, and her granddog, Mookie. A celebration of life will be held this fall. Please give generously in Darryl’s name to the Monmouth County SPCA. Hot damn we are going to miss you Didi! We will remember your wit, bravery, toughness, and love when we feel the warmth of the sun on our face.

Darryl Turkaly

September 9, 1945 - August 30, 2024