M. Lita Alonso

Alonso, M. Lita, M.D., born on March 22, 1934, passed away peacefully in her home in Scarsdale, N.Y. on March 17, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Lita, the only child of Jorge Elaskar and María Sánchez, was born in Mendoza, Argentina, where she lived until she attended the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, graduating with a medical degree in 1968. That same year, speaking little English, she arrived in New York City with her loving three-year-old son, Daniel, and began work in the Department of Pathology at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (now New York Presbyterian/Weill-Cornell Medical Center). Two years later, and by then fluent in English, she gave birth to her beloved daughter, Jennifer. The family moved to Westchester in 1977, and Lita, ultimately an Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill-Cornell, in 1980 became the Director of the Laboratory of Cytogenetics at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she was responsible for diagnosing chromosomal disorders. She held that position until her retirement in 2008. Lita was warm, generous, intelligent, capable, and kind, and was much loved by friends, family, and former colleagues. She was a great doctor, a passionate cook, a spirited gardener, a true friend, a devoted mother, and a perfect grandmother. Lita was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her beloved children, Daniel R. Alonso (Karen Bergreen) and Jennifer Alonso-Albert, and her adoring grandchildren, Chloe Albert, Ben Albert, Danny Alonso, and Teddy Alonso. An only child, Lita considered her 17 first cousins as brothers and sisters. It is also a testament to who she was that her former daughter-in-law, Michele Pigliavento, and her former son-in-law, Jonathan Albert, remained close to her.

Visitation 4-8PM Sunday March 19, 2023 at the Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes 824 Scarsdale Ave Scarsdale NY 10583. Mass of Christian Burial Monday March 20, 2023 10AM Our Lady of Fatima

Church 8 Strathmore Rd Scarsdale NY. Interment Kensico Cemetery Valhalla NY.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ELBennettFuneralHomes.com for the Alonso family.