Obituaries
Ava M. Turczynski, 20
November 16, 2025
With broken hearts, the Turczynski family announces the sudden passing of Ava Malina Turczynski, age 20, of Lancaster County, PA, on November 16, 2025. A beloved daughter, sister, and friend, Ava’s life was a vivid tapestry of laughter, courage, and rare authenticity.
Ava was a young woman who marched to the beat of her own drum. Her fearlessness knew no bounds. She embraced life with unmatched energy and craved the freedom to explore new depths and paths.
As much an independent contemplator as a natural-born storyteller, Ava found sanctity in the quieter corners of the world. She was a lover of hiking trails and bike paths, a frequenter of swimming far out beyond the ocean’s surf (much to the discontent of her on-looking parents) and finding peace while sketching cross-legged in the grass. Ava only danced like no one was watching, read Stephen King on dark, stormy nights, entertained with her quick, witty banter, and she even directed a few parody films in her spare time.
Though her presence itself was a gift, Ava’s love language was generosity, expressed in the small, thoughtful gestures that made others feel seen, cherished, and understood. She never strayed from her nonconformist principles and her ethics, challenging expectations and inspiring others to do the same.
Ava is survived by her adoring parents, Nicole and Jeffrey Turczynski, and her proud sisters, Abella, Malia, Lucia, and Evita; who will all carry her memory with love, as well as her message to live by inner truth, with an unguarded heart.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to ‘Camp Victory’ in Millville, PA, a beautiful 150-acre campus designed specifically for children with special needs, in keeping with Ava’s interests, passion, and servitude.
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Condolences to the Family
November 25, 2025
Turczynski Family,I am not a very fluent writer so here goes my best effort. I met Jeff through work several years ago when he landed a job with me in Georgia. I knew in a very short time that he was smart and stood firm on his family values. I have adored the entire family as Jeff and I sharing photos and stories over the last several years. Ava will certainly be missed by you all. I will continue to pray for each of you as you learn to navigate the days ahead. I am so very sorry for your loss. ❤️🙏 Theresa Drury
November 24, 2025
Dear Turczyzski Family,
Ava was in the GEMS Class I lead at Westminster several years ago. I remember Ava was very shy and quiet, but she had a sparkle in her eyes, and I knew there was much more to her than I got to know! I am so sorry for your loss, I cannot imagine what you are going through, but please know that I am praying for all of you. Jolynn Shenk
November 23, 2025
Nicole and Jeff ( and family), It was only a few weeks ago that we were reconnected outside church and now I’m praying for you all in this unimaginable sorrow!May Jesus be your comfort and His people come alongside you in this journey you never wanted to take. With love,
Sue (and Ted) Jones
November 23, 2025
Ava, I love you so much! You’re a kind and funny sister and I miss you. We all care about you dearly. Our life isn’t complete without you. Your sense of humor is welcoming and your kindness is heartfelt.
Evita Turczynski
November 23, 2025
Ava was a beautiful soul, an incredible dancer with a spirit full of life. She had a love for adventure,always out hiking and exploring, and never hesitated to speak her mind. Always bringing laughter to the room. Her innocence and sense of humor brightened our days. She was never afraid to dream big or be herself, and even though she’s gone, her laughter and love will forever echo in our hearts. We’ll carry her light with us, today and always, and though we didn’t always walk the same path, she was always in my heart. I loved her with all of it, fully, deeply, and without condition. And i know my family felt that same love for her, each in their own way. She touched our lives, even in moments when words were few or when life seemed to pull us in seperate directions, my love for her was and is never ending.
Lucia Turczynski
November 23, 2025
Ava didn’t know how to just please everybody else. Instead she knew what she wanted to do and how she was going to do it. She only ever cared about two things; having a good time and ensuring everyone else did as well. She brought a certain element of fun to everything we that I don’t think we can ever fully get back. When we were all worn out and tired from dancing ava would still be so full of energy, she would ask if we wanted to do a contest. Lucia and I would be so exaughsted most of the time and were so unwilling to participate, now when I look back on it, and how such a small thing meant so much to her, I don’t know how we ever refused. I don’t understand how I ever got annoyed with her either. With fun being her main focus and her uncanny resemblance to a baby, i’m coming to the realization that she was actually really cute. Ava was also one of the most considerate people I’ve ever met. She always said that she had “food sympathy”, meaning if she had any loose change on her at all, she would spend all of it on candy and other traets for us. Way more important than saving her money was buying us some snacks we’d down in a day anyway. She too had an incredible ability to crack a joke in any given situation. She could spin a heavy mood into a stupid, lighthearted one in the best way possible. I miss her, and I’m never going to stop missing her, but what hurts the most is that one moment she was here and the next she was gone. There were no last conversations in the end. Knowing her I know she’d rather be on her side of this horrible situation, but I never got to hear her say it. I never got to hear her final wishes, and I never got to tell her how much I love her. I don’t even remember our last interaction. I’d seen less and less oh her recently given her work schedule and constant need for alone time. I don’t remember if our last conversation was a good one or a petty fight. All I know is there is so much I didn’t get to say, and that there was so much more I wanted to learn about her. There was no where near enough time, and there was no warning.
Malia Turczynski
November 23, 2025
Turcynski Family, My heart breaks for you in your deep sorrow over the loss of your beloved daughter and sister. Upholding you in prayer. Vivian Ressler from Westminster
November 21, 2025
Ava,
None of us knows how to say goodbye to the daughter and sister that we knew. We’re left only with your memory, which just isn’t enough. We all now have a void within us that will never again be filled in this life. Thoughts of you are around every corner and, although they are of happy times and snippets of your quick wit, your unique sense of humor and perspectives on life, your huge presence within our family make it all that much harder to let you go. You were a unique beauty beyond words or compare, as much as you seemed to doubt it, and had so much to offer each of us in the ways that you carried yourself through this world. I know that you were searching for so much more in this life and, at times you seemed to me disappointed that what came back to you just wasn’t enough. Your Mother and I know that you needed more time to learn, to grow, and to figure out your path. Or, maybe this world, in it’s current form, would never have been big enough for someone with a soul as grand as yours.I just want to hold you again and force a big hug and kiss on you, even though I know it would likely turn into a wrestling match, almost like riding a bucking bronco.I just want to make you feel how much I absolutely adore the person that you were, that you were always more than enough for me. I never needed more from you than your own happiness and fulfillment. From today onward, I will continue to pray, with all of my being, that you’ve found your way back home to the source of all love and compassion. We will love you always and miss you until our last breath.
Daddy
