Deena P. Lesser

Deena Lesser, widow of Franklin Lesser, originally from Brooklyn, New York, on October 3, 2017 from complications from Alzheimer’s. A 51 year resident of Great Neck, NY, Deena was a trailblazer. A graduate of Adelphi University Deena married Frank in 1951. A son, Steven, followed in ‘52, and daughters Laura and Julie in 1954 & 1957. It was when the Lessers moved to Great Neck in 1963 that Deena found her voice - and what a voice it was. Juggling motherhood with a fierce determination to serve her local municipality, and the Democratic Party that she loved Deena joined her husband in the ‘60s fighting to maintain the beauty of their Thomaston Community. She helped spearhead the local movement that thwarted Robert Moses’ attempt to build a viaduct from Spinny Hill over the Manhasset Valley, one of his early defeats. This type of public service elevated her to a position as a Democratic Committeewoman. She served on the Great Neck Cable Commission and Public Access Committees concurrently from 1983 to 1985. During this time, she also served as a Trustee for the Village of Thomaston. She and Frank became the first husband and wife to individually serve as Mayors for the Village of Thomaston when she was elected to that post in 1989. But it was as the Town Clerk and then Executive Assistant to Supervisor May Newburger with the Town of North Hempstead that Deena did her best work. Responsible for numerous improvements and the streamlining of local Governmental responsibilities Deena brought efficiency and greater effectiveness to the position. She was a force in creating Project Independence and in creating awareness and services for victims of domestic and dating violence. Later, she was elected to be Commissioner and Treasurer of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District, a position from which she retired in December 2016 at the age of 86! Deena figured mightily in the regrowth of the Great Neck Historical Society, was honored to be appointed to the North Hempstead Women’s Roll of Honor as well as being named the Zonta Club of Queens Woman of the Year. She was active in numerous environmental and conservation organizations. Deena is survived by her daughters Laura Lesser of Manhattan, Julie Barkan of Fort Salonga, NY, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Lesser of Great Neck, NY and grandchildren Nicole, Emma, Julian, Molly, Sophie, Tessa, Annie and Aaron. Services will be held on Friday October 6th at 10:30 AM at the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore, 1001 Plandome Rd, Plandome, NY 11030. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore.

Arrangements under the direction of Riverside-Nassau North Chapel, 55 North Station Plaza, Great Neck, NY (516) 487-9600, www.riversidenassaunorthchapels.com