Toni Turner, 50-year-old Parker resident, died on Aug. 22 riding a motorcycle in honor of her daughter.

Turner, a passionate supporter of The Butterfly Program at Children’s Hospital, emotionally honored the organization because of strong ties to her heart and soul.

Because of The Butterfly Program, Turner and her family were able to embrace the last living moments with eight-year-old Kaitlyn, her daughter, at their home in 2005.

Kaitlyn and her twin brother were born on Aug. 19, 1996, and from birth, Katilyn had problems gaining weight, struggled with a feeding tube and had several operations. At the age of two, she started having grand mal seizures. Apparently, Kaitlyn was never able to walk, talk or feed herself, however her brother, Cody, developed and continued to grow normally.

On June 9, 2005, ‘Katie’ passed away peacefully in her sleep, in her own bed, with her loved ones around her.

For over four years, Turner dedicated her energy into organizing fundraising events to donate all of the proceeds to go back to the Butterfly Program, allowing palliative end of life care to pediatric patients.

A former business partner of Turner’s and her husband Doug, Mike McFarlin, said he brought Doug home from the hospital on Aug. 24. Doug was driving the motorcycle, and was “sedated at his home.” According to McFarlin, Doug is healing from broken ribs, his collar bone, broken toes, and cuts and bruises.

“We were doing a fundraiser event for children, Saturday, from here to down south, a motorcycle ride, when the accident happened,” McFarlin said.

The motorcycle ride started in Parker at the Turner’s business establishment, The Celtic House Pub, and ended near the Perry Park Subdivision in Larkspur. According to Cocha Heyden, public information officer from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, neither Toni, nor Doug were wearing helmets.

McFarlin said funeral arrangements are pending, but he knows the Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services in Parker will be part of those.

“The local fire departments have been very supportive,” McFarlin said. He said friends and family have been flown in to help with Cody, now 13, and his brother, Casey, 18.