Sevim Balkanli

Sevim was born on New years Day, 1930 in Karadeniz Eregli, Turkey. She spent her early childhood in a small village in Turkey, and near Istanbul. She met and married Hayati Balkanli, a young military officer. Their only son Alis was born, and after living both in Istanbul and London, the family came to the United States, first to Kingsville, Texas, and finally to Houston in 1962.

Sevim worked in retail sales both at Battlestein's and at Foley's department store. She retired from Foleys in 1992.

Sevim and her husband were part of the founding members of the Houston American Turkish Association, and she remained active with the Turkish community the rest of her life. She loved to entertain and often hosted students from Turkey that were attending university in Houston, as well as those traveling from Turkey for medical care at the Texas Medical Center. Her home was a place of comfort and love, as she made sure everyone was well fed with her wonderful Turkish cooking. She was very proud of her Turkish heritage and she shared this with everyone.

Sevim was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Hayati Balkanli, and is survived by her only son, Al Balkanli and his wife Lisa, as well as her only grandchild, Sara Balkanli.

Sevim was a treasure to many and will be missed by all that knew her.