Safiye Wentling

How does one describe the quintessential life well lived, the true Romeo and Juliet love story, and the best of Indiana Jones, all in one life? Safiye, her husband’s soulmate, was his Roadrunner, whom he chased in Turkey as a young Coyote until she relented and dated him over 43 years ago. She supported her husband through an Army career, a career in the Defense Industry, and a career as a Naval Civil Servant, his two doctorates, and moves and new homes too numerous to count. She loved children and supported Army families through his career as a caregiver. She was the perfect blend of toughness, grit, determination, beauty, and intelligence, and she raised two spectacularly well-rounded daughters, each a force in their own right.

They traveled the world together—Europe, the Middle East, and most of the US—and even spent six years living in Cairo, Egypt. Look to the sky tonight, and you’ll see a new star shining brightly in the heavens. This is Safiye, watching over us all each night for the remainder of our days until that time when we will be blessed enough to join her.

Sonsuzluğu Tanrı'nın sevgi dolu kucaklamasının rahatlığı içinde geçirmenizi dilerim (May you spend eternity in the comfort of God's loving embrace).