Ayten Ilkin

I will cherish the days spent going on outings with Ayten. We often would go for pedicures and then lunch. Many beautiful visits at her apartment or at my house having dinner and playing with the cat, Lily. I will never forget when I was sharing the beauty of both Ayten and I being Sisters in Christ. She corrected me and said, lovingly, dear Heidi, think of me as your spiritual mother. So to this day, Ayten will always be my spiritual mother that inspired me with Godly wisdom.

Ayten was my friend for many years. We were in same Sunday School class. Ayten would say we need to stay together she would say me from Turkey and you from Croatia. We would laugh and hug and lift each other up in Christ.
My condolences to the family and friends of Ayten.
I will miss you but one day we will be together again.
Jasna

We didn't know Ayten for very long, but she made such an outstanding impression upon us. My mom, Shirley, was on the same unit as Ayten at Kane Skilled Care. We would see her in the hallway from time to time, and she would chat with us. Always so pleasant and uplifting, Ayten told us about her past, her childhood in Turkey, her time in other cities in the US, her grandchildren, of whom she was so proud, and especially about her beloved son, Tunch, of the
Pittsburgh Steelers, and how difficult losing him was, and how her faith got her through it. She met my son, two daughters, and my grandchildren, and always had kind words for everyone, making everyone feel good. She even pulled some Ghiardelli chocolates from her drawer and gave them to my grandsons!
Sadly, my mom passed away after just a few weeks in Kane (at age 99!), but my son and I went back to visit Ayten, and, even then, she offered us her little bag of chips that she had been given at the recreation program that day! (We, of course, declined her offer.) Ayten reminded me of my own grandmother, so caring and giving always. May God Bless the soul of this sweet and kind person, and may she be greeted with angels and anthems at the gates of heaven.