It is with great sadness I share with you the passing of my sister Binnaz Melin. As I grieve for my loss I celebrate a life well-lived. She was the person I had known all my life, besides being my sister, Binnaz was a friend from my earliest memories. We played together, talked together, walked to school together, and returned home together. And, that was before neither one of us was even ten years old!
Looking back, she leaves a trail of success and achievements, but most of all a long trail of people whose lives she touched in many ways. Her desire to help others found support in her husband, my friend Ergun who talked the talk and walked the walk with Binnaz. We are proud to have known you, Binnaz, to have lived with you, shared joy and sadness with you, shared your achievements and met many of the people whose lives you have touched.
Farewell dear sister, as hard as it is for me to say that. Jan, Elif, Mina, and I will miss you, miss you a lot; remember you, feel you with us with joy for the rest of our lives.
Yours has been a wonderful and wondrous, even a miraculous life! Thank you for being you for all of us.
Addendum
To all who wrote, called, Skyped, or otherwise shared our grief and joy we thank from the bottom of our heart. The following appeared in the Turkish papers as her obituary. A rough translation follows and the image is clickable for a larger view.
Passage
The daughter of the late Nesip Ekin and late Nevber Ekin,
sister of A. Cemal Ekin and Zerrin Ekin,
the aunt of Elif Ekin, Ekin Kucuk, and Yunus Ertas,
sister in law of the late Nevin and Mehmet Bilginer,
late Ahmet Melin, and Janice Ekin
Teacher, administrator, and educator at
Site High School, Moran High School, Istanbul University
School of Foreign Languages, Ortadogu High School,
FMV Ayazaga Isik High School, FM Foundation Educational Institutions,
Turkish Educational Foundation Inanc Turkes High School
to contribute to the education and personal growth of thousands of students,
ASKEV Bilginer-Melin Ayvalik Arts Culture Education Foundation
board of trustees member and Vice-president of the Board of Directors,
Continuing her deep love of gardening for her entire life
after getting the love of nature and animals from her summers at the Gulek Plateau
Dearest life companion of Ergun Melin
BINNAZ MELIN
Passed away on December 3, 2018
Her funeral will commence following the noontime prayer
at the Karacaahmet Sakirin Mosque
for her burial in the Karacaahmet Cemetary
Ekin and Melin Families
Haluk Atamal says
We are shocked, Cemal.
Türkan and I are asking you to accept our condolences. We will miss Binnaz badly.
Tell me if there is anything we can help you in any way from our side.
Türkan & Haluk
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you both. Just keep her good memories and contributions alive.
Take care,
Cemal
Karen Johnson-Nieuwendijk says
What a beautiful tribute Cemal. We are so sorry for your loss. But as you say she will be with you in memories forever.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you, Karen. She was physically diminutive but the respect and admiration she received were always over-sized. And, deservedly so.
Take care,
Cemal
Larry Dunn says
So very sorry to hear of your sister’s passing Cemal. May her memory always be a blessing to you and your family.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you, Larry. We will surely cherish her memory and achievements.
Cemal
Paul says
So sorry to hear of your sister’s loss. I know how close you were.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thanks, Paul. This site has many memories we shared with her. And, that is a small fraction!
Take care,
Cemal
Tuba Gökoğlu says
Dearest Cemal Hocam
I am very saddened with this news of losing Binnaz abla. We will miss her very much. I am glad I visited her during my last visit to Cunda. She touched the lives of many, and was a great role model to all of us.
We will remember her with wonderful memories.
Our condolences to the whole family.
Hugs
A. Cemal Ekin says
Indeed, Tuba. I am glad you visited them during your last visit. We will enjoy the wonderful memories.
Take care,
Cemal
Suleyman says
Dear Cemal Hocam,
It is with just as great sadness as you shared the news that Tuba and I felt the loss. Yet, it is with just as great an envy and appreciation that we celebrate her life. She did not only touch many lives but opened many bright and warm nests in many hearts as she did in ours. We say our farewell with grief and a deep sense of loss, and feel fortunate to have known her as she was, leaving us with wonderful memories to cherish all our lives.
Our condolences to the family and all her loved ones. May she rest in peace.
Tuba & Suleyman
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you, Suleyman. The joy of her life softens the blow of her death. No doubt, she will be remembered fondly by many.
Take care,
Cemal
Suleyman says
I was looking for her comments to your post about her passing, always thoughtful, wise and humorous. That’s the kind of fond memory she leaves behind.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Indeed!
Nick says
Beautifully written and beautifully felt
A. Cemal Ekin says
She would have approved, Nick. Thank you for your thoughts and the phone call.
Cemal
Deb says
My condolences to you Cemal, Jan and your family. No doubt there are many fond memories of Binnaz. It is truly these memories that will bring you comfort and strength over time. Letting time be your friend, will help you through, as you remember the love and the loss of your cherished sister. Take care.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you, Deb. I always say that mourning is for self, the celebration of the life of the deceased is to honer them. She would have wanted that way too.
Cemal
Barbara Ryan says
Cemal and Jan,
Such sad news for all. Her memory will live on: your family has so many wonderful memories. Binnaz may be gone, but she is only a thought away. Dennis and I are thinking of you and we recall the time that we spoke with her via Skype when Jan was in the hospital. Take care.
Barbara
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you, Barbara, Dennis. We will remember her and her life fondly instead of mourning her death. I am glad to hear that you got a chance to see and talk to her. Take care,
Cemal
Frank Mullins says
Cemal,
It was with great sadness that I learned of your sister’s passing. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you, Jan, and your family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Thank you, Frank, for your thoughts and prayers.
Cemal
Barb Smith says
Cemal-
What a lovely tribute to a truly accomplished woman. Her gifts will continue to live on on the lives of those she has touched. And while it is sad to bid farewell, how fortunate you were to have had this woman as your sister. Clearly she made so many lives richer because of her generosity, her intelligence and her enormous grace. I send kind thoughts and wish you memories to warm your heart in all the years to come. Deepest sympathy.
A. Cemal Ekin says
You are right, Barb. The joy is in having known her for my entire life and remembering how she reached out to help others. Thank you for your kind words.
Cemal
Ramazan KAMARI says
Dear Cemal,
Hearing about your loss has deeply saddened me. Please accept myr condolences on the passing of your sister. My prayers are for you during this sorrowful time.
Ramazan.
A. Cemal Ekin says
Ramazan, thank you very much for your kind thoughts on the loss of my sister. Her life will be the light for all of us in the dark days, now and always.
Cemal