Necla Sungu

Necla Sungu’s story begins on June 2, 1922, one year before her birthplace of Turkey even existed as a modern country.

She graduated college in Ankara with a degree in English Literature and married a Turkish mechanical engineer who had studied in England and in the U.S. When their daughter Esen finished elementary school in Ankara, they moved to the U.S. in 1957. Her husband, Sabri Sungu, accepted an associate professor position first in Lincoln, NE, and later in Long Beach, CA.

Necla developed friendships quickly, joining the faculty wives, becoming involved in book clubs and social activities, and enjoying a full calendar of entertaining with a lively Turkish community.

In 2000, after her husband passed away from Alzheimer’s, Necla moved in with her daughter and son-in-law, Esen and Ralph Paradiso, in Columbia, MD.

When Necla’s great grandson Tyler was born in 2003, the four-generation family began a series of cruises: to the Baltic countries, around South America, the Caribbean Islands, the Mediterranean, China, and Southeast Asia. In later years the family enjoyed summers at a cozy waterside retreat at Maryland’s Deep Creek Lake.

At age 90, she purchased her first iPad to be able to read Turkish newspapers online and email friends anywhere in the world. During the Covid pandemic her trusty iPad kept her in constant contact with loved ones.

Many loving friends and her four-generation family celebrated her historic centennial birthday in June of 2022, at a festive Turkish restaurant in Columbia, MD.

She is survived by her daughter Esen Paradiso [Ralph Paradiso], granddaughter Kim Steffens [Thomas Steffens], and great grandson Tyler Steffens of Columbia, MD.

A graveside service for Necla will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville Pike, Columbia, MD 21029.