Mary M. "Donna" Lesser

Lesser, Mary M (Donna)
passed away on May 2nd after an extended battle with cancer. She was 79 years old. Born on April 10th 1932, as Mary M Maxwell, she grew up in Montclair NJ, went to College High School and attended the College of Mount St Vincent in a program that included 2 years at the college and 2 years in nurses' training at St. Vincent Hospital in New York City. She graduated in 1954 with her RN and a Bachelor of Science degree. Donna married Edward Lesser of Pelham NY in 1956 and the Lessers subsequently moved to Yorktown Heights, NY, to raise their family. In retirement they divided their time between homes in Bedford Hills, NY and Carefree, AZ. Donna was an avid golfer and, until her final illness, played competitive team golf for Waccabuc Country Club in NY and the Boulders Club in Arizona. She has won the senior woman's club championship at both clubs. In 1979, Donna was part of a very rare golf happening. In match play, she hit first and holed out her tee shot on the 118 yard 7th hole at Waccabuc. Her opponent, Buffy Ogden, was set to concede the hole but Donna encouraged her to hit her shot as well. Against all statistical odds, Buffy also hit her tee shot into the cup and the hole was halved with ones. Donna is survived by her husband, Edward; her son, James; her daughters, Elizabeth Mandel and Carol Wood; three grandchildren and her brother, Michael Maxwell. The funeral will be private. The date for a memorial service will be announced. The family has established the Donna Lesser Fund with the Northern Westchester Hospital Foundation for the purpose of funding a new staff facility at the hospital which will be named in her honor. Contributions in Donna's memory will be gratefully accepted and should be sent to Northern Westchester Hospital Foundation, 400 E Main St., Mount Kisco, N.Y. - Attn. Annette Serrano - Account Donna Lesser Fund.