Mrs. Seniha Gur

Seniha Gur of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, passed away on September 29, 2020, at her home where she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was 90 years of age. Seniha is deeply missed by her sons Suha Gur of Lawrenceville and Reha Gur of Middletown, NJ; granddaughters Emily Gur and Shanin Gur; daughters-in-law Bernadette Gur and Muffie Gur; and sister and brother-in-law Sevim and Erdogan Sonmez of Burhaniye, Turkey. Seniha is pre-deceased by her husband Hayrettin, who passed away in 1980; and her siblings Ihsan and Gurbuz of Ankara. Born in Ankara to Hediye and Bahattin, Seniha showed distinct artistic talent by her teenage years, during which she spent hours studying figure and drawing countless sketches of couture fashion and classical music composers. Later, she graduated from the Ankara College of Art, where she studied decorative art and fashion design. After marrying in 1954, she and her husband moved from Turkey to New Jersey to chart a new course for their family. With little spoken English, yet an abundance of talent, Seniha began her career as an artist at Boehm Studios in Trenton, NJ. Later in 1969, she accepted a role at Lenox China in Trenton, where she painted ceramics. She was promoted to Designer, and later in her career to Senior Designer in the china and crystal design group. Seniha was a recognized master in surface design concept and her work was featured in various Lenox product lines and offerings. She is credited wth the creation of over 100 dinnerware designs and some of the Company's most popular patterns, including "Heritage" and "Tradition," which were specifically produced for the 1989 Lenox Centennial Collection. Seniha was asked to speak at various venues around the U.S. to artists and designers because of her world-class acclaim, passion, talent, and experience. She was so generous with her advice and was eager - and thought it important - to help others grow in their professions of artistry and design work. After her retirement from Lenox in 1996, Seniha worked independently and produced designs for notable china and crystal companies, including Mikasa and Waterford. Seniha loved to travel the world and enjoyed immensely her trips to Italy, China, Thailand, Turkey, and more. An artist of elevated skill, she nevertheless saw beauty in simple things - her patio always brimmed with flowers of every variety, and she nurtured them painstakingly. She delighted in discovering lovely trinkets at flea markets, and decorating and entertaining in her home. Seniha inspired great affection and respect from her countless friends, who join her family in missing her immensely. She will be remembered as having lived well - as a loving wife and mother; affectionate Grandmother; loyal and sweet friend; brilliant artist; and a beautiful person.