Zerrin Gençtürk’s Name to Live On in the Building She Served

The name of former Bornova Deputy Mayor Zerrin Gençtürk, who passed away due to COVID-19 on February 8, 2021, has been immortalized at the Auxiliary Service Building and Urban Planning Library, which houses the Bornova City Theatre (BBŞT) Academy. Located in the Barbaros Neighborhood, the building has officially been renamed the “Zerrin Gençtürk Auxiliary Service Building and Urban Planning Library.” The naming ceremony was filled with emotional moments.

The event was attended by former Minister of State Akın Gönen, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, former Bornova Mayors Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır and Olgun Atila, municipal council members, representatives from the business community, Gençtürk’s family and close friends, and many of her colleagues. It was a ceremony marked by both tears and pride, as Zerrin Gençtürk’s life and contributions to Bornova were fondly remembered.

A Husband’s Gratitude and Pride: “We’ve Always Been Proud of Her”

Speaking at the ceremony, Gençtürk’s husband Cengiz Gençtürk shared heartfelt words:

“She was a wonderful wife, a devoted mother, a hardworking and compassionate public servant. Her door was always open to everyone—she never discriminated. As her family, we have always been proud of her. I would like to sincerely thank Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki and everyone who contributed to ensuring her name lives on in this building.”

Mayor Eşki: “Her Signature Is in Every Window, Every Park”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki also gave an emotional speech:

“Zerrin abla served in Bornova Municipality for many years and made lasting contributions not just to the staff, but to all of Bornova. We are not simply naming a building after her—we’re making her legacy, her contributions, and her signature on this city visible. She also left her mark on one of Turkey’s most modern cities through her work at Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, known today for its highly successful cooperatives. We are now achieving great things in Bornova with the colleagues she mentored. It is thanks to such dedicated bureaucrats that our country stands strong. Everything done in her memory is a great honor for us. May she rest in peace.”

Prof. Dr. Sındır: “A Bureaucrat with a Mother’s Compassion”

Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır, who served as Bornova’s mayor from 2009 to 2014, highlighted Gençtürk’s professional discipline and compassionate nature:

“She was a respected professional who carried out her work to the highest standards. A graduate of METU, she held her profession in high esteem. She never tolerated shortcomings and approached her team and all staff members with a mother’s care. Working with her was an honor for all of us.”

Olgun Atila: “She Was Like the State Itself”

Another former Bornova Mayor, Olgun Atila, shared a personal memory:

“I first met her in 1995 as an architect, and later worked closely with her as a municipal council member and mayor. She was an exceptional bureaucrat—like the embodiment of the state—but also had the soul of a young girl. On the day she passed away, February 8, my third daughter was born. That date now carries both sorrow and joy for me.”

Who Was Zerrin Gençtürk?

Born on September 16, 1960, in Elmadağ, Ankara, Zerrin Gençtürk completed her primary and secondary education in Elmadağ. In 1982, she graduated from the Middle East Technical University (METU), Faculty of Architecture, Department of City and Regional Planning, earning the title of City Planner.

She began her career that same year at Elmadağ Municipality, where she served as Director of Zoning and Acting Director of Public Works. Over the years, she worked as a city planner in various municipalities, including Ankara, Manisa, and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. In 1993, she joined İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, and a year later, she began her long-standing service as Deputy Mayor of Bornova Municipality.

With 37 years of public service, Gençtürk was known for her dedication and sense of responsibility. In 2020, she was appointed Deputy Mayor of Urla. She passed away in 2021 due to complications from COVID-19.