Lydia Jane Sahin
June 6, 1997 - August 19, 2014
        

(a/k/a Lyds, Liddybug, LJ and Bug), 17, passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin following a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer. Lydia is survived by her parents, Jonathan and Jennifer (nee Williamson) Sahin, and siblings, Ava and Ethan Sahin; paternal grandmother Lale Sahin (Izzet Sahin, deceased); maternal grandparents, Peter and JoAnne (nee Lohberger) Williamson; aunt Colleen McCarthy and cousins Keegan and William McCarthy; uncle and aunt, Pat and Lisa Williamson and cousins Landen and Myles Williamson, uncle and aunt Jason and Mandy Sahin and cousin Payton Sahin, as well as many other loving relatives and dear friends.

Born on June 6, 1997, Lydia had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She was known for her love of many things (aside from her family and friends, of course), most notably: fashion (preferring to wear skirts or dresses, usually matched with a floral headband and maybe a little bit too much eye shadow); Star Wars (often referring to Darth Vader as her "husband"); dancing (she could bust a move with the best of them); zombies (much to the chagrin of her parents); and, most of all, MUSIC! You would be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of the British band One Direction; she referred to the band members as her "boys," and would spend hours singing their songs at the top of her lungs. Harry Styles was her favorite band member and in recent years had replaced Darth Vader as her "husband."

She was a proud member of the Class of 2016 at Nicolet High School, where she was on the honor roll both her freshman and sophomore years, and was a Student of the Month her freshman year. She had an amazing group of classmates who always treated her with respect and loved her for who she was, not to mention an incredible group of teachers throughout her life who realized her potential and always pushed her just a little bit harder, knowing she would shine.  Lydia also had a great set of friends, including her best friend, Celia.  The two of them had been close since 3rd grade and were like two peas in a pod.  They loved doing everything together, from watching movies, to hip hop classes, to overnight camp, to pulling pranks on teachers, friends or family…  You simply did not think of one of them without thinking of the other.

Over the years, she was involved in many organizations, including: Special Olympics Wisconsin (having participated in bowling, athletics, snow shoeing and gymnastics, her favorite); PALS Plus (at Bayside Middle School); the STARS program at the Milwaukee Jewish Community Center; the Nicolet High School Life Skills program and Best Buddies chapter; the Milwaukee Center for Independence; The Friendship Circle of Wisconsin; Special Friends; and Wisconsin Lions Camp.

There will be a Celebration of Lydia's life at REUTER PAVILION AT ROTARY PARK, 4100 West Highland Road in Mequon, on Saturday, September 6.  Lydia’s family will welcome friends from 11:00 AM until 2:45 PM, with a time for sharing stories at 3:00 PM. As pink was Lydia's favorite color, the family asks that everyone wear something pink (it can be anything from your whole outfit to just an accessory).

One of Lydia's favorite places on earth was the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, Wisconsin, which is run by the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation at 3834 County Road A, Rosholt, Wisconsin 54473. There will be memorial packets at the celebration, but if you choose to mail in a donation, please put "Lydia" in the memo portion of your check so that your donation is correctly credited in her memory.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the oncology team and everyone on the 5th floor PICU at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin for caring for Lydia as if she were one of their own children.