Niveen T. Jurena

GUILDERLAND - Niveen Jurena, 46, of Guilderland, New York, crossed into the heavenly eternal, ending her courageous, nearly two year battle with endometrial cancer.

Born in Cairo, Egypt, Niveen was the middle child and youngest daughter of Talat and Enayat
Okby of Binghamton, New York. As a child and throughout high school, she and her siblings,
brother Nader Okby (Catherine), of Middletown, New York, and sister, Najla McHale (Michael)
of Archbald, PA traveled between various locales in the United States and overseas. She
completed her high school education at the American School of Kuwait and continued on to
college at the University of Binghamton where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. She
ultimately graduated from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York where she received a
Master's Degree in Elementary Education.

In the mid to late 1990's, Niveen worked for the Albany County Child Protective Services and it
was during the course of this employment where she met her husband, criminal defense attorney
Michael D. Jurena. The couple fell fast in love and married in September, 2001. On May 6,
2003 they welcomed into the world a beautiful daughter, Isabel Marie. Niveen is survived by
close cousins H. Michael Okby (Marlene), of Saratoga, New York, Wally Okby (Elizabeth) of
Dubai, many other cousins in Cairo and other cities around the world, and by nieces Nadia,
Gillian and Fiona, as well as nephews Ian, Alexander and Owen.

Niveen's life was inextricably intertwined with many, many others, and her beautiful soul
touched everyone she met in a uniquely positive and wonderful way. Niveen truly cherished her
friendships and the time she was able to spend with the people in her life, whether it was
teaching her Zumba classes at the YMCA, hosting play dates and get-togethers of varying
magnitudes or simply sitting down over a cup of tea and just talking. If she was your friend, she
was the best friend a person could have, whether it was being a staunch supporter, a fierce
advocate, or just a loving shoulder in a time of need. She played many roles in her life, each
one to perfection; patient teacher, devoted wife, loving sister, daughter, and mother. She was
everything a wife and mother should be and more, going above and beyond for not only her
child, but for the children of all the many wonderful friends in her life. She will be truly missed
by all who have had the pleasure of knowing her.

Niveen's family will be hosting a memorial gathering on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.
to 10:00 a.m. at the Newcomer Canon Funeral Home located at 343 New Karner Road, Colonie.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests that a donation be made in tribute to Niveen to the Dana
Farber Cancer Institute and directing the gift to support gynecologic cancers. Online donations
can be made at www.dana-farber.org and clicking on the How To Help button. Simply follow
the instructions under the Making a Memorial or Tribute Gift.