Mary S. Parisi, M.D.

The tenacious Mary Siracusa Parisi, MD, a child of The Great Depression, was born on Bleecker Street in Manhattan on September 8, 1926. She passed away, at 97 years old, in Roslyn Harbor, NY on February 27, 2024. She was the cherished daughter of the late Charles and Mary Siracusa, a Sicilian tailor and seamstress, respectively, and the fond sister of the late Joseph Siracusa. Beloved wife of the late Edward C. Parisi, DDS, they married in 1956, and were blessed with "five children in seven years." A widow since 1972, Mary raised their five children as a single mother after her husband passed away unexpectedly.

Mary knew at an early age that she wanted to be a physician. With perseverance, courage, and an unparalleled passion for medicine, she became the first college graduate and the first medical doctor in her family. A pioneer for women in medicine, she was one of only five women medical school graduates in the Hahnemann Medical School Class of 1951, and was awarded the Hahnemann University Distinguished Graduate of 2020. Mary greatly enjoyed medical school and announced, on more than one occasion, how she would love to go back and do it all again! A physician at 24 years old, she completed an internship at St. Vincent's Hospital, NY, and residency at New York University Medical Center. An entrepreneur, Dr. Parisi started a private practice after her husband passed away, and was a solo practitioner until she was 91 years old. Undaunted by 'house calls,' and with a steadfast, strong work ethic, she was always available to her patients. Dedicated to a lifetime in medicine, her thriving pediatric practice served several generations of families and children of the New York metropolitan area and Long Island, especially Glen Cove, NY, for almost 70 years. She loved being a medical doctor.

Mary was dedicated to her family, her patients, her colleagues, her community, and her faith. She served as the president of her chapter of the American Women's Medical Association, president of the Morgani Medical Society, member of the Board of Hahnemann School of Medicine, and volunteer faculty for pediatric residents at North Shore University Hospital and Winthrop Hospital. She was a leader among her colleagues. She served the community as team doctor for her youngest son's football team, and as a member of The Columbus Citizen's Foundation, the organization which hosts the Manhattan Columbus Day Parade. Mary proudly marched and helped with the Manhattan Columbus Day Parade, for over 20 years, in support of her heritage, and to raise funds for educational scholarships for children of Italian-American heritage. Her energy and drive were limitless.

An aficionado of the arts, she was a pianist, and opera buff from an early age. She enjoyed classical music, as well as the crooners from her era. She would bring her five young children to weekly theater matinees, and in later years, she participated in church musical theater productions. She enrolled her children in piano lessons and her grandchildren in violin lessons. She savored not only the art of cooking and baking, but also the science behind the process. She had a passion for fashion and was an avid reader. Later in life, she developed a keen interest in the stock market and taught herself about finance via TV, radio and newspapers. In her late eighties, she began to diligently read Barron's weekly financial analysis magazine/newspaper, she fired her stockbroker, and succeeded at her own trades.

Mary lived life with tenacity, fortitude, determination, independence, integrity, kindness, and love. Irreplaceable, she was one-of-a-kind, cherished, and will be forever, dearly missed. An extraordinary woman, her memory will live on in the hearts of all whom she has touched.

Mary was a cherished mother, doting grandmother and loving great-grandmother. Mary is survived by her five children: Joseph R. Parisi, Mary T. Parisi, MD, Charles E. Parisi, Esq, Edward C. Parisi, Jr, CPA (Victoria), and John P. Parisi (Barbara); eight grandchildren: Charles Jr, Emary, and Eloise; Edward, III, (Faith), Olivia Wood (Michael), and Christopher; Julia and Sabrina; and two great-grandchildren: Lila Wood and Edward, IV.

Visiting hours will be at Whitting Funeral Home, on March 1, 2024, 300 Glen Cove Ave, Glen Head, NY 11545, 2PM-4PM and 7PM-9PM. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2024, St. Mary's Church, 110 Bryant Ave, Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576, at 11AM. Interment: St. John's Cemetery/Mausoleum, 80-01 Metropolitan Ave, Queens, NY 11379. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Mary Siracusa Parisi, MD.

Donations in memory of Dr. Parisi may be made to:

Columbus Citizens Foundation

8 East 69th Street

New York, New York 10021

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