Monica Lyn Turnburke

Monica Lyn Turnburke, 55, of Nashua, Mont., died on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, after a short but fierce battle with cancer.

The family is planning a celebration of Monica's life for a future date.

Monica was born in Clearwater, Fla., in 1967 to Melanie "Mel" Swaim and Robert "Bob" Turnburke. As a kid, Monica loved taking advantage of being so close to the ocean and took any opportunity she could to be out on the boat, fishing, or being on the beach.

Monica and her mother, Mel, moved to Montana in 1979. Monica was adventurous and free-spirited, and loved living in Montana. She attended college in Bozeman where she studied plant science. During this time, Monica and her two young children, Jake and Lacey, enjoyed living in a small cottage on a raspberry farm where they had many adventures. Monica met her future husband, Brent, in 1996. Brent had two young children of his own-Meriah and Autumn-who completed the now-blended family. Brent also came with a large extended family consisting of his four brothers and their wives and children. Monica loved being part of this big, blended family. Monica and Brent eventually traded the mountains of western Montana for the plains of eastern Montana. Monica called eastern Montana "home" for the rest of her life.

In her adult years, Monica was united with her half-sisters, Victoria and Nikki. The sisters got together for a (re)union in 2018 where they shared many laughs and made many memories. Despite the differences in age and the barriers of long-distance, they all remained very close. Monica adored her sisters and relished having siblings who were as dedicated as she was to maintaining a close bond.

Monica loved camping, fishing, boating, gardening, canning vegetables, cooking, baking, spending time with her animals and her grand-puppies, and doing anything creative. She had a deep love for her family, her friends, and her animals. She enjoyed making all kinds of art for family and friends. Monica will be remembered for being formidable, creative, tough, sassy, loving, funny, quick-witted, and resilient.

Monica was preceded in death by her mother, Mel, and her father, Bob.

Monica is survived by her two children, Jake Fortin (Alexa Barnes) and Lacey Fortin, as well as her devoted husband, Brent Bacon. She is also survived by her sisters, Victoria (Dave) Peacock and Nikki (Andrew) Lang; her nephew, Connor; her loving step-mother, Cathy (Hayden) Cline; her step-daughters, Meriah (Jake) Haslebacher, and Autumn (Spencer) Putman; and her step-grandsons, Emmett, Ollie, and Brayden; and many other beloved family members. She will be so greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers or cash gifts, the family asks that those wishing to honor Monica instead donate to a worthy cause in her name.