An ode to Cenny

Once upon a time a wonderful Colombian lass came into many lives!

Cenny was her name and she was all game!

A friend, a companion a godmother and wife….

Heck!! no there was never any strife!

Cenny stood for integrity and fun and loyalty and honor…. There just was no one else like her to ponder.

Belkens and Robertsons met many years back across the globe in very interesting sites….jobs in Egypt , Israel, Sri Lanka and Panama to name a few ….Cenny fit into the mold as wives do.

She became life long in a friendship with our son and his wife… work for the husbands and gatherings became a way of life….. Larry and Cenny and Rick and Renée spent many an hour together planning meals and excursions after the work day, of course!

Cenny had spunk, Cenny was bright….when she entered a room it felt like she turned up the light. Cenny had warmth, Cenny had spirit! That wasn’t a surprise….it was fact and we knew it!

When we traveled to cities that followed Larry and Rick’s work, Cenny would greet us with open arms and a perk!

No matter where the Belkens landed. Cenny would whip out her computer to join in with her talents creating a legacy for some of her clients.

The Belkens and Robertsons had many great adventures! Nick and I were lucky to join in on the ventures!

Cenny loved our grandchildren as if they were her own. Rylee and Raegan grew up knowing this Queen on the throne!

There was one little quirk that Cenny would hide…. It was CRITTERS that lurked in dark places (oh my!!) She wouldn’t say the word that could describe their awfulness. She would simply find help to exterminate their “presentness”!

The lovely Cenny made us laugh and then cry. We were so saddened to hear her health slipped on by.

This woman of kindness brought joy to us all! The twinkle in her eyes, her laughter and her voice made our world so much better and it was by choice.

We send loving wishes to her dear man of the hour. Larry has a star in the sky we hope we can all share in her honor!

Giant hugs and love, Katy and Nick❤️

From 1989 to 2023

Renee and I, along with our daughters Rylee and Raegan, extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear friend Larry and all of Cenny’s family. A huge piece will be missing without Cenny from all of our lives. Unfortunately, we will be unable to travel to Colorado for the Celebration of Life on 15 July. We wanted to share our thoughts below…

My friendship and long-life journey with Cenny and Larry Belken dates back to 1989. My first overseas adventure in Alexandria, Egypt. Our friendship, work relations and family ties exceed over 3 decades. We have traveled together throughout our lives for work and pleasure to many places – Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt (nearly 6 years), Israel (1+ years), Sri Lanka (3 years), Panamá (twice for nearly 9 years) and many encounters for vacations and gatherings along the way in Oregon, Kenya, Sharm El Sheik, Colorado, Florida, etc.

Cenny was always part of my life along with my close working relationship with Larry. They threw me a 30th Birthday Party in 1992 in Cairo! Once Renee came into my life, my wife of 25 amazing years, Cenny and Larry we sure to be at the Oregon wedding in 1998. Cenny gave the “thumbs up” approval (hahahaha) for Renee and their friendship extending for 25 years. The Belkens were there for the birth of our oldest daughter, Rylee in Tel Hashamir (outside of Tel Aviv) Israel. They have been incredibly caring God-parents to Rylee and so generous to our other daughter Raegan over the years. They are extended family when we have shared so many BBQs, Thanksgivings, 4th of July, birthdays, company functions, high school graduations, visits to my relatives, etc.

Cenny was a gift from God for us all. She mentored and advised my expat wife Renee on many things (often costly advice for me – hahahaha). She was so accomplished and passionate on any of her interests and work ventures, giving it 100%. She always dressed in style and grace. She was never early, but never missed a step on bringing in fun, laughter and smiles to our world. She never worried about where the next work location was for Larry and adopted and took care of Larry (and many of us) no matter what the location. She told it like it was and did not hesitate to be sure there were no “pirates” (e.g. crawling creepy bugs that I will not name in her honor), needed the appropriate climate (cool) conditions where-ever we were, and was soooo generous and loving to our daughters Rylee and Raegan. Finally, she took incredible great care of Larry, the love of her life.

We will all miss Cenny so much. Her big heart, her passions in life, her smile and her crackling laughter. We know she is at peace and in the ultimate place. We have tried to post some of the photos we have available. Many from the 1990s are still in storage. We hope all can enjoy. We miss you “Cenith” and are so happy to have had you enrichen our lives in so many ways. The biggest love shout-out from the Robertson family (Rick, Renee, Rylee and Raegan)