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‘With a Saddened and Heavy Heart,’ General Hospital’s Donnell Turner Shares That His Mother Has Unexpectedly Passed Away
Monday, August 30th, 2021
Dr. Lorraine Sylvester “had a positive word to say about everyone.”
On August 30, General Hospital leading man Donnell Turner disclosed to his Instagram followers the heartbreaking news that his mother had died only weeks after her 70th birthday. “It is with a saddened and heavy heart that I share that my beautiful mother, Dr. Lorraine Sylvester, passed away unexpectedly this past Friday, August 27th,” he began his post. “She had just turned 70 years old on August 14th.
“For those who knew Mom and had the pleasure of meeting her, you know how full of life she was, her effervescent personality, how she always carried a bright light everywhere she went, and had a positive word to say about everyone,” he continued. “Mom was not only a dynamic mother to three sons, but she was a loving grandmother, doting great-grandmother, faithful sister, caring aunt, evangelist, educator, administrator, therapist and friend.”
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In other words, she was amazing. Or, as Curtis’ portrayer puts it, “She was a beautiful person and a strong woman who had much wisdom to share.”
Turner knows that he has reached a difficult crossroads in his life. “Going forward, I am not sure from where I will get my wisdom,” he said, “but I am sure that Mom adequately prepared me for what lies ahead. Her memory and legacy will forever live on, and I am eternally grateful for the 48 years I was blessed to have with her.
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“I attempted to give her the flowers she so richly deserved while she was here, yet I can’t help but feel I could have done more,” he added. “Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your condolences and for allowing me to share my lovely mother with you.”
Our hearts go out to Turner and his family at this painful time. On your way to the comments to share your condolences, take a deep breath and try to cheer up if you can by perusing the below photo gallery of other soap stars and their beautiful moms. Oh, and call your mom; you’ll be glad you did.
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
1/24
<p><em>General Hospital</em>’s Tabyana Ali (Trina) had her proud mom Jacqueline Ford by her side on January 29, 2023, as she celebrated the big 21! Here’s a shot from the Castaway in Burbank, California, where the actress was treated to a <em>Breakfast at Tiffany’s</em> theme birthday party.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
2/24
<p>Camryn Grimes (Mariah/ex-Cassie) is pictured with her mom on the set of <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. Her family came out to help celebrate her <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/625929/young-restless-camryn-grimes-anniversary-debut-cassie-mariah/" target="_blank">25 years on the CBS soap</a> in March 2022.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
3/24
<p>In 2021, <em>The Bold and the Beautiful’s</em> Henry Joseph Samiri (Douglas) attended the soap’s Christmas party with his mom. The big celebration went down at Maggiano’s at The Grove in Los Angeles, California.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
4/24
<p><em>Bold & Beautiful’s</em> Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) is pictured with her mom and the similarity of their smiles couldn’t be more evident. In December 2019, Judy joined her daughter at a ribbon cutting to celebrate her new <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/549952/katherine-kelly-lang-joins-greeces-8-lexeis-reveals-benheart-store/" target="_blank">Beverly Hills Boutique, Benheart</a>.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
5/24
<p>Sydney Mikayla’s (Trina) mom attended <em>General Hospital’s</em> main cast event with her daughter during the ABC soap’s <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/544603/general-hospital-fan-club-weekend-2019/" target="_blank">Fan Club Weekend</a>. The fun photo, with the actress showing off her manicure, was taken in July 2019 at the Embassy Suites Los Angeles Glendale in California.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
6/24
<p><em>Bold & Beautiful</em> and <em>Young & Restless’</em> Kelly Kruger’s (ex-Mac, ex-Eva) baby shower wouldn’t have been the same without her mom in attendance. Here’s a sweet photo captured from a private residence in Los Angeles, California in July 2019. Take a look <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/gallery/photos-darin-brooks-kelly-kruger-nursery-everleigh-jolie/" target="_blank">inside the nursery of Kruger’s first-born daughter</a> Everleigh Jolie with husband and fellow <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> star Darin Brooks (Wyatt).</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/24
<p><em>The Young and the Restless’</em> Zach Tinker (ex-Fen) brought his mom, who he very much looks like, to the CBS Daytime Emmy Awards After Party. The 46th annual event was held at the Pasadena Convention Center in May 2019. Incidentally, Tinker had been nominated in the <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/536784/2019-daytime-emmy-award-nominations/" target="_blank">Outstanding Younger Actor category</a>.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
8/24
<p>Nia Sioux (ex-Emma) attended <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/537137/photos-bold-and-beautiful-stars-celebrate-at-32nd-anniversary-party/" target="_blank"><em>The Bold and the Beautiful’s</em> 32nd Anniversary Party</a> with her mom, <em>Dance Moms’</em> Holly Frazier. The fun went down at the Granville restaurant in West Hollywood in February 2019.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
9/24
<p>Now, this is fun! Zane Achor plays Bill and Katie’s son Will on <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> — and his beautiful onscreen mama just happens to be his real-life one too (Heather Tom). This cute photo was shot from the CBS soap opera’s 31st Anniversary bash in March 2018 at Ysabel’s in West Hollywood.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
10/24
<p><em>The Young and the Restless</em> actress Alyvia Alyn Lind (Faith) posed with her mom at the show’s Forever Young party. The <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/50735/yr-45th-anniversary-video-flashbacks-of-upcoming-big-returns/" target="_blank">45th Anniversary celebration</a> took place at the CBS Television City Studio in March 2018.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
11/24
<p><em>Young & Restless’</em> Kate Linder (Esther) went out for a night on the town with her mother Molly Wolbeck back in June 2018. They attended a performance of <em>Desperately Seeking Love</em> at the Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
12/24
<p><em>The Young and the Restless’</em> Tracey Bregman (Lauren) and her mom Suzanne Lloyd attended a function for the Young Musicians Foundation in May 2010. Clearly having inherited her mother’s eyes, the beauties smiled for the camera from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
13/24
<p>Here’s a fun extra photo — and a fun fact: In 2017, Kate Linder’s mom Molly Wolbeck, as well as Tracey Bregman’s mother Suzanne Lloyd, made appearances on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/comings-and-goings/1859/tracey-bregmans-mother-suzanne-lloyd-guest-stars-on-yr/" target="_blank">Wolbeck and Lloyd turned up as patrons</a> at a swanky restaurant located outside of Genoa City in an October 2017 episode.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
14/24
<p>One of the most famous mother/daughter duos in daytime is <em>Young & Restless’</em> Lauralee Bell (Christine) and her mother <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/560502/obituary-lee-phillip-bell-dead-91-co-creator-bb-yr/" target="_blank">the late Lee Phillip Bell</a>. Lee and her late husband William J. Bell co-created <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> as well as <em>Young & Restless</em>. This photo was taken in September 2016 when the number one daytime drama celebrated its 11,000th episode at Stage 41 in the CBS Television City Studio.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
15/24
<p>Donnell Turner’s (Curtis) mom Lorraine posed proudly with her son during <em>General Hospital’s</em> Fan Club Weekend in July 2016. Turner and his former co-star Vinessa Antoine (ex-Jordan) hosted a spinoff event called Dance Party with Vinessa Antoine and Donnell Turner at the Embassy Suites Glendale in California.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
16/24
<p>Former <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> actress Ashlyn Pearce (ex-Aly) invited the cameras into her Los Angeles home for a private photo shoot. She’s pictured with her mom Lisa in October 2014.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
17/24
<p><em>Days of Our Lives</em> superstar Billy Flynn (Chad) definitely gets his looks from his gorgeous mom. During one of the biggest NBC daytime fan events, Day of Days, Flynn took some time out from autographs to capture a moment with his mom at Universal CityWalk Hollywood in November 2014.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
18/24
<p>Just look at these fair-haired beauties… <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> alum Kim Matula (ex-Hope) invited her mom Karin along when the CBS soap opera went on location to Monte Carlo in June 2014. Fans will recall the storyline where <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/recaps/20903/bb-recap-lets-rock-n-roll/" target="_blank">Wyatt proposed to Hope</a> on a yacht in Monaco. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
19/24
<p>Emme Rylan (Lulu), <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/581949/general-hospital-emme-rylan-heartwarming-birthday-message-son-jackson/" target="_blank">who happens to be a mom herself</a>, met with fans — and brought her mom who is most likely her biggest one of all — to the <em>General Hospital</em> Fan Club Weekend. The mother/daughter duo attended the soap’s Kickoff Party at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City in July 2014.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
20/24
<p><em>The Young and the Restless</em> alum Kelli Goss (ex-Courtney) brought her mom Nancy to the 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards. Not only did Nancy get to mingle with the stars, she accompanied her daughter to the Off The Wall Daytime Emmy Gifting Suite at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in June.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
21/24
<p><em>Young & Restless’</em> Hunter King’s (Summer) mom looks happy as can be as she gave her daughter a kiss while attending the same event as Goss and her mom Nancy. Here they are posing for a cute photo at the Off The Wall Daytime Emmy Gifting Suite in June 2014 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
22/24
<p>Double take — Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) and her mom Kim could pass for sisters! In December 2013, the actress brought Kim on the set of <em>The Young and the Restless</em> at the CBS Television City Studio.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
23/24
<p>From<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/549688/review-michael-damians-high-strung-free-dance/" target="_blank"> soap star to rocker to actor</a> and everything in between — and behind the scenes — <em>Young & Restless</em> alum Michael Damian’s (ex-Danny) mom has witnessed it all. The actor, who got his eyes from her, smiled for the camera with the special woman in his life at the soap’s 40th Anniversary Fan Club Dinner at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City in August 2013.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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