Sevil S. Kalayci

Kalayci, Sevil S. Educator and Champion of Constitutional Freedoms Sevil Kalayci, 74, passed away peacefully at her home on August 1, 2025. Beloved daughter of the late Nermin and Selim Selcuk, she immigrated as a young child to America with her parents from Istanbul, Turkey. They settled in Arlington where Sevil graduated from Wakefield High School. She earned a BS in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University and taught 3 rd grade for thirty years in Loudoun County Public Schools. Her students were the light of Sevil's life and she inspired hundreds of youth to academic excellence and watched them grow into proud, productive citizens. During her tenure in LCPS, Sevil's love of shopping was evident as she provided the school's Sunshine Fund with gifts for staff events such as wedding and baby showers. She cultivated a lifetime of knowledge of gemstones and jewelry and sold fine jewelry in department stores after retirement. Sevil loved unique gifts and attended all major area craft fairs for years. She loved taking weekend trips around the Atlantic region to historical, beach and shopping areas. When she visited Turkey, she loved staying on the Bosporus. Her father's travels to Egypt initiated her interest in her Egyptology hobby. Sevil's family assimilated into and celebrated their new country and she became a naturalized citizen. She developed an interest in politics with the advent of the Liberty Movement in 2009. For twelve years, she provided the community with Constitution discussion groups at her home which she called Pizza and Politics. She invited and encouraged vigorous debate and cheered the free exchange of ideas. She also hosted meet and greets for political candidates and historical/political authors. The success of her Constitution meetings later inspired her Spotlight on Special Americans Series which highlighted speakers on a variety of topics. She amassed a large following with her newsletters and formed a well-attended community lunch club. Sevil's final years were marked by her near total devotion to her elderly mother's care, which proved to be one of the most powerful lessons she could teach us. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the National Funeral Home and Memorial Park located in Falls Church, VA. Interment at Memorial Park will occur at a later date. Donations in Sevil's name may be made to Tunnel to Towers or to your favorite animal rescue in honor of her Norwegian Buhund, Zak, who was her faithful and loving companion for sixteen years. Please sign the Guestbook at www.legacy.com/washingtontimes