Mendota Heights Woman is Semifinalist in 'Beautiful Minds' Contest

Mary Turner Maher of Mendota Heights started playing the violin a few years ago. Last fall, she took up horseback riding. She swims three times a week, plays golf, and tutors children, too.

Oh, and she’s 83 years old.

Turner Maher’s was chosen as a semifinalist in the Beautiful Minds contest, a competition for people 55 years and older. Contest semifinalists embody four critical aspects of brain health: diet and nutrition, physical health, mental health, and social wellbeing. National Center for Creative Aging, together with dietary supplement life’sDHA, sponsor the competition. 

Varied hobbies are just one aspect of Turner Maher’s lifestyle that caught the eye of contest sponsors. After being a stay-at-home parent to five children, she attended college for the first time at age 42. At age 56, she completed her doctorate in educational administration.

“I’m a lifelong learner,” Turner Maher said. “I wasn’t a good high school student, but when I finally went to college, I thrived.” 

As the years went on, she worked as a school psychologist, a director of special education, and as an assistant superintendent. She was a member of the Inver Grove Heights School Board for 14 years.

She continues to thrive personally as well, still keeping up with her children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild (another is on the way).

Turner Maher’s life, however, is not without its challenges. A colon cancer survivor, she also suffers from debilitating osteoarthritis, resulting in two artificial hips, an artificial knee, and a fused foot. 

“I’ve stayed active, and through exercise I’ve been able to overcome some of this,” she said. “I’m not hampered. I’m determined to live well.”

In fact, her most recent foot surger was the catalyst for learning her latest hobby, horseback riding.

“My daughter, Nancy, has always encouraged me to try to ride horses,” Turner Maher said. “When I had foot surgery, with physical therapy and months in a boot, I told her if I ever recovered, I would try riding. Well, she held me to it and I’ve been riding ever since.”

Nancy Turner of Afton is the same daughter responsible for Turner Maher’s entry into the contest.

“When I saw the ad looking for stories about beautiful minds, I knew I should enter my mom,” said Turner. “People talk about lifelong learning and keeping their minds and bodies active. … My mom doesn't talk about it, she just lives it. This is a stark contrast to many of her age peers, that when you ask them ‘What's new?’ they give you a recitation of their ailments—what my mom calls the 'organ recital.'”

There will be no “organ recital” from Mary Turner Maher. Her advice for living and aging well is simple.

“I just think I try very hard to live in the present, take one day at a time,” she said. “If you have interests, pursue them. Don’t say ‘I can’t.’ Do it. Give it a try.”

To vote for Dr. Mary Turner Maher of Mendota Heights in the 2011 Beautiful Minds contest, go to www.beautiful-minds.com. The person with the most online votes will win the “People’s Choice” award and will be included among the ten Beautiful Minds winners. Voting ends Thursday, June 30.