Her kindness and passion for helping others was evident in every decision she made, and she will be greatly missed.”

Julia Wheatley, mayor, Queen Creek

Former Queen Creek vice mayor and town council member Emilena Turley died Monday at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer, the town of Queen Creek announced this afternoon.

An Arizona native, Turley was first elected to the town council in November 2014, and was re-elected in August 2018, serving as vice mayor that same year.

She was supportive of the town’s transportation improvements, major economic development projects and public safety, retiring from the council in 2022. She also served on numerous boards and commissions, including the town’s Economic Development Commission and Transportation Advisory committee.

“Emilena dedicated her life to her family and her community,” Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley stated in a press release. “She was an advocate for limited government while being a friend to all. Her kindness and passion for helping others was evident in every decision she made, and she will be greatly missed.”

In a post on his Facebook page, Queen Creek Vice Mayor Jeff Brown called Turley a “consummate public servant” and “diligent in all matters before our town council.”

“I have valued her support of so many incredibly important decisions that will forever shape the future of (the) town of Queen Creek,” Brown said. “Emilena Petersen Turley truly has left a legacy for our town. Em, it was the privilege of a lifetime to have served alongside you. More importantly, I have truly valued your friendship.”

“I will miss you Em.”

Turley was born in Chandler and graduated from Mountain View High School in Mesa. She attended Phoenix College and received an Associate of Applied Science in legal secretarial studies. She worked as an independent paralegal in the East Valley and served on the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce education committee.

She and her family moved to Queen Creek in 2010 because they love “the small town feel and tight knit sense of community that it offers,” according to the release.

Turley is survived by her husband, Aaron, and eight children.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5656 S. Higley Road.