Melanie Lyn Clay Yildizlar, long time resident of Greenwich CT, died after a long and courageous battle with cancer on March 27, 2013 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.
Melanie was born on January 8, 1968 in New Haven CT to parents Richard A Clay (deceased) and Mary Negley Clay. She attended Pulaski elementary school and Liverpool High School in NY. Melanie also attended Bosphorus University in Istanbul Turkey, and graduated from Hunter College (NYC) on May 1994 with a Bachelor's degree in English.
Melanie resided in Pulaski NY, Syracuse NY, Istanbul Turkey, London England, Manhattan NY before settling in Greenwich CT in 1997.
Melanie was known for her bright smile and her love of family and friends. She had a generous nature and was a good listener. She was warm and gracious and loved life. She was a leader in advocating for the Yildizlar Education Fund and Connecticut Women against Gun Violence. She also pursued her faith as an active participant in bible study.
She is predeceased by her father Rev. Richard A Clay (survived by Jacqueline). She is survived by her husband Matt H Yildizlar of Greenwich CT, her children Alara Kay Yildizlar and Andrew Melih Yildizlar, her mother Mary Negley Clay of Syracuse NY, sisters Melissa A Clay (engaged to Tom Towne), Amy Clay Bartolotta (Peter Bartolotta), sister-in-law Oya Noyan (Necati Tunc Noyan).
Service: Monday April 1, 2013 at 11 am at Christ Episcopal Church 254 E Putnam Ave Greenwich CT, burial following at St Mary’s Putnam Cemetery with light reception to follow at L’Escale in Greenwich at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the University of Buffalo Foundation, via the following secure website:https://ubfoundation.buffalo.edu/giving/index.php. Contributors are encouraged to reference Melanie's name and/or the Yildizlar Education Fund in the box titled "In Honor of / Memory of".
The family thanks all friends and extended family for their love and support during Melanie’s long fight. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com
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