Iveta Dzelzitis

Iveta Dzelzitis, known by many as Ivy, age 53, passed away at her home at 12 Sunrise Drive in Taylors, SC on October 6, 2005. She was predeceased by her parents, Visvaldis and Maija Dzelzitis, of Greer, SC and her sister, Inara Turkopuls, of Columbia, SC. Her parents were originally from Latvia, and Iveta was proud of her Latvian heritage. Surviving are her nephew, Markus Turkopuls, and his wife, Susan, and their two young children, Alex and Katie, all of Irmo, SC, as well as her brother-in-law, Janis Turkopuls, of Columbia, SC. Also surviving are her cousin, Norman Caune, and her aunt, Minnie Caune, both of Columbus, Ohio. She also has a cousin, Peter Tillers, who lives in Jersey City, NJ, another cousin, Ilga Blankmeyer and Ilga?s husband, Kurt, of Durham, NC. After Iveta?s mother?s death, her father married again, and his widow, Jane Dzelzitis, lives in Laurens, SC. Also surviving is Iveta?s special friend, Henry H. Watkins, Jr., of Greer. Iveta was born in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, with Phi Beta Kappa honors and a degree in art and archaeology. Iveta?s career as a Senior Systems Analyst at Equitable Life Insurance Company in New York City, NY ended early due to a disabling illness. She moved to the Greenville, SC area in 1991 to be near her family. Iveta was a Christian, and visited a variety of churches in the area. Most recently, she had begun to attend St. Michael Lutheran Church in Greenville. She enjoyed art very much, and was an accomplished amateur artist, as well as an author and a member of Mensa. She published a book, writing under the name of Panther Fawn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NAMI National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 2320 E. North Street, Greenville 29607, or on the internet at www.nami.org. A private memorial service was held on October 9, 2005. Arrangements are by Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest. In this earthly world, too often lacking in peace and happiness, Iveta has finally found her salvation through her belief in Jesus Christ, and all is well with her soul, as she will reside in Heaven for Eternity.