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In memory of

Olcay Kadriye Okcetin

Raleigh, NC

July 21, 1934 - August 19, 2019

Jul 21, 1934 - Aug 19, 2019

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Olcay Kadriye Okcetin departed for heaven on August 19, 2019 at 9:50pm, after a battle with cancer, at the Transitions Hospice Center, in Raleigh NC. Olcay was born in Antalya, Turkey and lived in Ankara, Turkey for most of her young life, attending and then teaching Architecture Design at the Middle Eastern Technical University (Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi) before relocating to the United States. She did also attend the prestigious Pratt Institute, NY, in pursuit of her PhD.

Olcay was an amazing friend, artist, architect, wife, mother and grandmother. She lit up the room everywhere she went, and many people admired her for her selfless, loving and nurturing personality. She had such a positive impact on the lives of so many and her artistic talent was truly awe-inspiring.

Olcay was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Zeynep Okcetin, who succumbed to cancer despite Olcay’s tireless efforts in helping Zeynep battle the dreadful disease. Olcay is also preceded in death by her loving parents, Necmi and Sabahat Tan, and sister Tesbire Tan.

She is survived by her husband Yucel Okcetin, son Faruk Okcetin, her brother, Matt (and his wife Meltem and daughter Lyra) Tanner. She is also survived by her beloved granddaughter, Elara Zeynep Okcetin, who was Olcay’s pride and joy and Christine Judge, Olcay’s future daughter-in-law, in whom Olcay said she had found a new daughter.

Olcay is also survived and cherished by hundreds of students, colleagues and faculty, which she had the pleasure to teach and work alongside of at the Middle Eastern Technical University (ODTU), and many wonderful friends and family. She truly had an incredible impact on the lives of so many.

A memorial service will be held on Friday August 30th at the Cremation Society of the Carolinas from 4pm-6pm. 2205 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604

A Life Celebration to be held at a later date, will be announced during the memorial service.

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