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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Leela Rangaswamy, MD

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Dr. Leela Rangaswamy on January 15, 2020 in the Stonegates Retirement Community. Leela was born in Nagpur, India and grew up in New Delhi. She developed a love for learning and for helping others early in life. By the age of 23, she had completed medical training at Madras Medical College. Leela then worked for several years as a Resident in eminent hospitals and medical research centers in New Delhi before arriving in the U.S. in the early 1970s. She settled in Wilmington, DE where she established permanent residence while working at the A.I. Dupont Institute. She went on to specialize in hand surgery, neurosurgery and pediatric orthopedics.

In an illustrious 50-year career Leela excelled as a surgeon, a medical researcher, and an educator holding teaching appointments in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, and Harvard Medical School, among other places. She was a true pioneer, breaking through many glass ceilings in her profession, notably at a time when women were not encouraged to become physicians, let alone orthopedic surgeons. She served with distinction as the Chief of Orthopedics at Blythedale Children’s Hospital and practiced surgery at Helen Hayes (Columbia Presbyterian) Hospital and Montefiore Hospital. After living many years in New York, Leela moved to Boston in the mid-1990s where she became the first woman Deputy Editor of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, eventually joining the Harvard faculty, the staff of Boston Children’s Hospital, and HMO Harvard Vanguard. It was at Helen Hayes that Leela met her husband, Martin Hart, the hospital’s attending child psychiatrist. They would go on to spend the next 45 years sharing their varied interests and supporting each other’s professional growth.

In the last two decades of her career, Leela worked with peer and utilization review agencies and the policy-makers of health insurance companies in writing guidelines for the certification of surgical procedures and equipment. Her professional accomplishments range from clinical practice and surgery to academic contributions in education and research, as well as policy and consulting work both in the U.S. and internationally.

Her brilliance, vivacity, and eagerness to take on new challenges was in full view in other parts of her life as well. A keen traveler, she regularly visited the major centers of art and culture across Europe and developed deep appreciation for the architecture, cuisine, and music of many parts of the world, evidenced also in the large collection of books, paintings, and musical recordings that formed her library over the years. She not only enjoyed the finer aspects of life, she shared this love and its rewards generously with friends and family by including them in her travels, visits to art districts, museums, and performances. She was also a patron of the arts in many respects.

Leela maintained a home in Wilmington for her family even when she was away. She sought to make them comfortable and encouraged them to aspire, dream, and achieve to their highest potential in the careers and relationships they chose. She tirelessly worked to make the many homes she created welcoming, not least by her own culinary skills. She was an extraordinary chef and could whip up a multiple course gourmet meal equipped with only the kitchen offered by a tiny Manhattan studio apartment, often while dressed in her finest silk saris. She loved to entertain on a grand scale and always ensured everyone left with enough food for days to come. She was a master organizer long before it became a trend and meticulously designed her home from the construction phase to its most intricate decorative details.

She leaves behind her husband Dr. Martin Hart, sisters Kamala Prasad and Bala Sivaramakrishnan, brother-in-law Shivi Sivaramakrishnan, and nieces Ameya Krishnan and Brinda Sivaramakrishnan, and a great many others who appreciated her charm, expertise, and generosity at various points in their lives.

Funeral Services

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Chandler Funeral Home, 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE followed by a Traditional Hindu Funeral Ceremony begins at 3:00 pm. Interment will be private.

Condolences

    T.A.Balan, MD writes,
    Leela was a delightful and caring person who will be missed for ever. It was an honor to have known her and we send sincere condolences to her family. God bless Tab
    01/18/2020 02:52 pm
    Sandra Seimon writes,
    Dear Martin and family Deepest sympathy on the news of the passing of Leela. I have lovely memories of our friendship and Leela’s long professional association with my beloved Lenny. Fond regards, Sandra Seimon
    01/18/2020 03:19 pm
    Madhu RK Singh writes,
    Leela! We called you Leelu, went to school together in New Delhi as our homes were within walking distance. When in high school, your father withdrew you and sent you to do pre med so that you could go on to become a doctor. We met last five years ago when we came to Exton and you were looking so bright& cheerful! Love you friend of my childhood and will miss you
    01/18/2020 11:51 pm
    Madeline & Sidney Hart writes,
    Our sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved Leela.
    01/19/2020 09:13 am
    Wolfgang Gilliar, D.O. writes,
    My deep thoughts and wishes of sympathy to your entire family and circle of friends. May the wonderful memories you hold be the conduit to the thought that even though departed, our loved ones never leave us. They remain with us, in us and are going forward though us. I met Leela 25 years ago when we collaborated on many peer-reviews. I have always appreciated her precise analysis and clear, thoughtful approach to things. Strangely, I spontaneously thought of Leela just last Sunday as a flash of wondering ‘how she is?’ She has a special ‘extra’ which was ever present. I think we all felt it wegen we interacted with her. May your memories carry you.
    01/19/2020 12:01 pm
    Michael Stephen Harris writes,
    Diana and I remember fondly Leela's spirit, smile, intelligence, caring and, not least of all, her great cooking. Our thoughts are with you today.
    01/19/2020 06:29 pm
    Candy Deitcher Schachat writes,
    On behalf of the Deitchers of Lowell Rd - we extend our sympathies to Kamala and the family.
    01/19/2020 10:59 pm
    Cathy Cook-Stroud writes,
    I was so sorry to read about Dr. Rangaswamy, and so sorry I missed the visitation. She was a fantastic lady and I was honored to have know her. My deepest sympathies are with the family.
    01/20/2020 08:07 am
    Ranu Banerjee writes,
    Leelu was like my elder sister. She cared about Shauri and me and we’re treated to many a treats whenever we visited from India. She liked to live BIG... and we were lucky to be part of her generosity in kind and affection. Leelu you will be truly missed and we will try and fulfill your wish to take a trip to Paris!
    01/22/2020 12:45 am
    Joan French writes,
    Dear Kamala: I am so sorry to hear about your sister, she was quite a woman! I am sorry I was away for her funeral and I also heard about your husband's funeral after it had taken place. You have lost 2 dear souls. I hope you are recovering and keeping well. I will keep you in my thoughts. I lost my younger brother in October and I know how much we miss him. Right now I am staying in Milwaukee with my daughter, Mariah and taking care of my new granddaughter. This has been a joy. When I get back to Delaware in the spring, I hope we can catch up. Yours in peace. Joan 302-981-2711 jyfrench53@gmail.com
    01/30/2020 02:46 pm
    Dan & Sandy Marcus writes,
    Dear Marty: We are so deeply sorry to learn of Leela's passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and the family. We just became aware because we are as usual two weeks behind in our continual struggle to keep up with reading the NY Times. The beautifully written notice reminds us so dramatically of Leela's professional brilliance, exceptional personal human qualities, and broad range of cultural interests. You certainly found a winner and an ideal partner. We have fond memories of the times that we shared with both of you together back in Rockland. Hope that you are well and taking care of yourself. Sending our love, Dan and Sandy. 203-264-9136. danielmarcus@sbcglobal.net
    02/04/2020 11:12 am
    Anand K Sahay writes,
    Dear Dr Hart, Kamala Booni, Bala, It is with deep sadness I learnt this morning (2 May) of the going of Leelu, about whom I began to talk with my wife Maya, as I recalled my warm friendship and association with the Rangaswamy family in New Delhi in the seventies. There was no particular reason why Leelu should have sprung to mind. I suppose a corner of memory just came out to speak to me. We googled her and received the news with shock in our home in Delhi as we sat conversing on a quiet Saturday morning. It was friendship with Bala that drew me to the family, for each of whom I have extremely fond memories. Leelu was in America and would visit India occasionally but was spoken of in the family in somewhat iconic terms, with jokes and stories thrown in to make her a real person. When I met Leelu- and I saw her only a few times- I knew there was something way above the ordinary about her as a person, though I didn't figure what exactly. Her great generosity was frequently spoken of, and I sensed it in the kind of charm she exuded. I think I did hear of Martin too back then. I pay respectful homage to Leelu. Our condolences to Dr Hart and each one in the family.
    05/02/2020 05:10 am
    Gail Spratley writes,
    How it saddens me to find that Leela Rangaswami has died. I met her at Helen Hayes Hospital where I worked as support staff in the Orthopaedic Department. Leela was a brilliant woman, on fire with intelligence and skill. We knew her to be a renowned hand surgeon, at the time Alice Garrett was the medical director, and I was privileged to work with these lovely, kind, and talented women. Leela would bring back bolts of batik fabric from her visits to India, a few times I stayed at her NYC apartment in the 70s, I think on the west side, to stretch batik on art frames for her and she would give these as gifts. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. Especially to Dr Martin Hart, who I also recall fondly. Once he bestowed (upon many) the offspring of a family pet hamster, which I brought home in a shoebox. It easily escaped and could be heard gnawing away in the undersink cabinet. The next morning I found it on my kitchen floor with neat twin punctures on its neck, dispatched in the night by my cat Barnaby. I love the photograph of Leela that accompanies this obituary, it captures her smile and her style, which live on in my memory, and the memories of the many people whose lives she touched.
    09/22/2020 01:33 pm
    John and Bernadette Hackett lit a candle and writes,
    Leela, We loved you dearly. Knowing and loving you changed our lives forever. We send our prayers to Martin and your beautiful family. May we be blessed to meet you again in heaven. Sorrowfully, John and Bernie Hackett
    01/29/2021 09:07 pm
    Sue Kilroy lit a candle and writes,
    Martin - so sorry to hear about Leela. What a wonderful woman and friend. We were always amazed by her tenacity, her ability to multi multi task and to live large. She was the perfect hostess, so generous and gracious. I can still see her cruising in her Cadillac. You must miss her so. Take care. Sue Kilroy
    01/30/2021 12:03 pm
    Rafael Lopez lit a candle and writes,
    It was Leela that gave me one of the most precious gifts in life. I met Leela in 1980 when I interviewed for a residency in orthopedic surgery at Montefiore. She taught me how to be a good doctor. She inspired me. To this day I have never met another person that I could say that about. I was fortunate to know her in that capacity. My deepest condolences to her family.
    02/11/2022 08:00 pm
    JEREMY ANDERSON writes,
    I’m saddened to read of the loss of Leela. I regret not staying in touch after moving to Florida. I think of her often and her generosity to me and my family. She was truly an amazing woman. My sincerest condolences to the family.
    04/29/2022 06:47 am
    Geri Mariano lit a candle and writes,
    I’m so very sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. Rangaswamy only now when I went to look her up. She was indeed a pioneer in her field. Dr. Rangaswamy first met me while I was an outpatient at Blythedale Children’s Hospital decades ago. When it was decided my spine needed to be stabilized, she operated on me at Albert Einstein back in November 1982. I am now writing a book and want to thank all the doctors who cared for me as I was growing up. I regret not having searched for her before too late. My condolences to her family.
    06/23/2022 03:54 pm

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