Ansilene Fraughton Ozberkmen

(September 15, 1935 – December 29, 2023)

It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Ansilene Fraughton Ozberkmen (of McLean, Virginia), a compassionate and dedicated woman whose life was marked by a profound commitment to family and a career in nursing. Ansilene passed away on December 29th, 2023 leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and unwavering strength.

Born on September 15, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah (mother Clara Ackerlund, father Ancil Dennis Fraughton) and raised in Park City, Utah. Ansilene was awarded a Marching Band Scholarship (playing the trombone) to the University of Utah where she pursued her passion for nursing, earning her BSN. Ansilene's dedication to her profession led her to work in various healthcare settings, including Arlington Hospital Labor and Delivery, the National Institute for Health, and in home health care, where she touched the lives of countless individuals with her skillful and compassionate care.

Ansilene's life took a beautiful turn when she met and married the love of her life, Vacit Yakup Ozberkmen. Together, they embarked on a life filled with love, travel, adventure, and shared purpose. They lived in Turkey and the United States, creating a tapestry of memories that will forever be cherished by those who knew them.

A proud member of Capital Speakers Club of Washington, D.C., Chapter III, Ansilene embraced opportunities for public speaking, personal and intellectual growth. Ansilene and Vacit together, supported the American Friends of Turkey and the American Turkish Association with the belief in importance of building strong cross-cultural relationships. Ansilene established a unique program to teach the History of Turkey to McLean High School students. As Co-Founder of the Washington D.C. Collective, University of Utah College of Nursing Alumni Association, she was a stalwart support for nursing students to understand the importance of engagement in health and medical legislative affairs on Capitol Hill, regularly accompanying nursing students from the University of Utah to meet legislators and attend hearings. She leaves an indelible mark on the areas of service she believed in.

Ansilene's greatest source of pride and joy was her family. She was a nurturing and loving wife to Vacit and mother to her three children: Deniz Dennery (Claude) of Sewell, NJ, Yasar Ozberkmen (Susan Bacheller) of Mill Valley, CA, and John Ozberkmen (Nathalie) of Salt Lake City, UT. Her role as a grandmother brought immense happiness, and she leaves seven grandchildren: Alex, Moriah, Nakiyah, Nicolas, William, Tristan, and Matteo. She is also survived by her brother Edward J. Fraughton (Ann) of and sister Dona Tippetts of Kingman, AZ. She is predeceased by four siblings: Carol Jane Nelson Branham, William Nelson, Louise Cristie Nelson, Charlene Nelson. All of whom, including their families, were cherished by Ansilene.

As we reflect on Ansilene's life, let us remember her as a woman of grace, kindness, unstoppable curiosity, and resilience. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her, and her impact on the lives she touched will endure through the memories we hold dear.

In honoring Ansilene Fraughton Ozberkmen, we celebrate a life well-lived, defined by love, service, and a deep devotion to family and building better and stronger communities. May she find eternal peace, and may her memory continue to inspire us all.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to your favorite charity or supporting the University of Utah Memorial Fund for Nursing Students https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/112?specialInstructions=Ansilene%20Fraughton%20Ozberkmen%20Memorial%20Fund