Dr. Mary Despina Lekas

Mary Despina Lekas, MD, D. Sc., a pioneer in Rhode Island’s medical community, passed away on January 24, 2023 at the age of 94. She was the beloved wife of the late Harold W. Picozzi. Taking great joy in their beautiful view of Narragansett Bay, they were longtime residents of the Narragansett Terrace neighborhood of Bullocks Point in East Providence.  Dr. Mary, as she was fondly called by all who knew her, and Harold were married for 31 years. 

A proud Greek-American native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Dr. Mary was the daughter of the late Spyridon Peter Lekas and Merciny S. (Manoliou) Lekas and the sister of the late Theodore P. Lekas. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Receiving scores of recognitions and accolades spanning her more than 60-year career, Dr. Mary was a trailblazer for women pursuing the practice of medicine with distinguished academic, professional, civic and philanthropic accomplishments. A practicing otolaryngologist specializing in head and neck surgery, she was the first woman to head the Otolaryngology Department at Rhode Island Hospital, as Surgeon-in-Chief from 1983 until she retired in 1996.  She was also the first woman to be Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology at Brown University’s medical school. Dr. Mary was the first woman on the East Coast to become a Fellow in the Triological Society, the most prestigious society of her specialty. In 1980, she was named the first woman to be elected President of the New England Otolaryngological Society. In 1992, Dr. Mary was named Rhode Island’s Woman Physician of the Year and was awarded the President’s citation from the Triological Society in 1993. Honors continued during 1996, the year of her retirement, by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Foundation and the American Broncho-Esophagological Association.

Dr. Mary’s academic credentials included a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts in 1949, where she was the only woman in her class studying pre-medicine. She earned a graduate degree at Boston University and an M.D. degree with honors at the University of Athens Medical School, completing her residency at three locations – Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Rhode Island Hospital in Providence and at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine in Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery. Dr. Mary received a Masters Degree in Science from Brown University and in her later years, she was Clinical Professor Emerita of Surgery at Brown University School of Medicine. 

Her professional career included private practice with privileges at Rhode Island Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital and Miriam Hospital. She was past president of the Providence Medical Association and was recipient of the Providence Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award. 

In 1997, Dr. Mary and Harold established the Dr. Mary Despina Lekas, M.D. D.Sc. Endowed Chair in Biology at Clark University. That same year, Dr. Mary received an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor of Science) from Clark University that recognized her remarkable professional career. In 2007, she established “The Mary D. Lekas Fund for the Advancement of Women in Medicine” at Brown University Medical School.  Known to say “It’s an attitude with gratitude”, Dr. Mary believed in giving back and supported many philanthropic endeavors throughout her life.  

While her academic and professional credentials characterized the public side of Dr. Mary’s life, she also lived in a glorious parallel world rooted in her Greek heritage, her belief in God and in her Eastern Orthodox faith. With a passion for art, music and charity, Dr. Mary was an active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cranston, Rhode Island, singing in the church choir, serving as a member of the Good Samaritan Ladies Philoptochos Society and regularly attending Divine Liturgy services, special lectures, programs and Bible study classes. Her faith in God was so great, she even saved a collection of iconography from the parish’s original location on Pine Street in Providence and displayed the historic icons in her home with other works of art she had collected over the years. 

In recognition of her service to the Annunciation Church, Dr. Mary was named the 2009 recipient of the Metropolis of Boston Laity Award.

Dr. Mary was the major benefactor of the Annunciation Parish’s Endowment Fund, established in her honor as the “Dr. Mary Despina Lekas Endowment Fund”, ensuring the church’s ministries would live on for generations. At a gathering in her honor for her magnanimous donations, Dr. Mary stated, “I am doing this for the youth of our parish, so that they may perpetuate the faith and traditions of our church”. 

A special recognition of appreciation is extended to her caregiver and companion Judy Antonelli, a true “good and faithful servant” whose devotion to our Dr. Mary was boundless to the very end. Above all, deep gratitude is extended to Dr. Mary’s dear friend and fellow Clark University alumnus, Thomas M. Dolan, Esquire. 

Dr. Mary Lekas lived life to the fullest with love in her heart, deep humility and with a graciousness and appreciation not only for what she was able to accomplish but for the gifts provided to her through her trust in God. Dr. Mary modeled her life based on her own poetic creation: “Life is a song. Love is the music. A symphony of faith, our Lord the survival kit.” 

On behalf of all you did for so many people throughout your life, we thank you, Dr. Mary. May your memory be eternal. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Mary’s memory may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Dr. Mary Despina Lekas Endowment Fund, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI 02905 or online at www.annunciationri.org. 

Friends and relatives are invited to pay their respects on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am at the Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI, 02920, with a funeral service to follow immediately at 10:00 am.

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.WoodlawnRI.com