Celebrating the life of
Dr. Harris Kandel Lentini
January 23, 1938 - September 18, 2013
Savannah- Harris Kandel Lentini, PhD, a native Savannahian, award winning artist, and accomplished education administrator, died Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at her home. She was 75 years old.
Dr. Lentini retired as director of the Oatland Island Science Education Center. A lifelong educator, she served the students and teachers of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools as science coordinator and as director of the Science and Engineering Fair.
An associate said, "Dr. Lentini was instrumental in initiating hands-on professional development opportunities for science teachers, which, in turn, impacted an entire generation of students. She opened up the world for them."
Dr. Lentini served on Savannah's City Council as alderman for the 6th district from 1978 – 1982. She was the first female alderman elected by voters for the Savannah City Council.
Dr. Lentini was active in many non-profit organizations, including the American Association of University Women, Girl Scouts and Safe Shelter, an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic abuse, which she co-founded in the early 1970s.
A graduate of Oglethorpe University, she received her PhD from the University of Georgia, and was awarded the Ford Foundation Fellowship for Research in Education. Dr. Lentini taught at Savannah High School and in the White County, Georgia School System.
She is survived by two sons, Gerard Lentini April of Lawrenceville, and Andrew Lentini, of Athens; four grandchildren, Jackson, Arlia, Julian and Sloane; a brother, Phillip Robinson Kandel, Charlotte, NC; nieces Elizabeth Sykes and Anna Wood of Savannah, niece Lori Kandel Clements and nephew, Phillip Kandel, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, and two cousins, Phillippa Paddison Robert and Joanne Leaf, both of Savannah.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Bonaventure Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the cemetery.
Andrew & family, I am so sorry for your loss. Harris must have been an amazing woman. I feel like I know a little bit of her creative and thoughtful spirit through spending time with Andrew. I hope for comfort and fond memories as you mourn.
- Kevin Kirsche, Athens, GA
What can I say - there are not enough words to express what Harris has done. The list is long. Savannah has lost one of my heros, a woman in a man's world .First woman alderman in Savannah. She broke the barrier. God love her for helping battered women in Savannah. And for just being Harris. And for being my cousin. And for always saying, when she saw me “give me some sugar.”
- Phillip Kandel, Vieques, PR
Andrew, I am sorry for your loss. God Bless you and your family during this difficult time.
- Kathy Hines, Athens, GA
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Harris was vital,energetic and a wonderful force to be reckoned with.
- Frances Smith, Savannah, GA
I remember with fondness Harris and her Oatland Island colleagues with whom I was acquainted when I lived in Savannah during the 1980s and worked with the United Way. Sending sincere condolences to her family and Low Country friends.
- Deborah Stevens Hamilton, Blacksburg, VA
To the family of Dr Lentini, I currently serve on the board of SAFE shelter and wish to express our deepest sympathy on the death of your mother. Her legacy at the shelter has touched so many lives since she founded the orginizaiton. We are thankful for for her visionary act in providing men, women and children a safe home from their abuser. There are countless lives that have been impacted by this gift. The services offered will continue long into the future and we will always share the name of Dr Harris Kandel Lentini as one of our founders. Sincerly
- Agnes Cannella-SAFE Board Secretary, Savannah, GA
Harris will be missed with her dry sense of humor and seemingly endless talent.
- Sandi Lowe, Savannah, GA
I'll miss Harris' spirit, humor, and feistiness. I could always count on her enthusiasm for a new project and her questions were always direct and succinct. Her loyalty was unquestionable and I appreciated her support - she would do her best to sign up for whatever class I was teaching, as long as it was something she felt like fit her creativity in sewing!
- Sidney, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear of this! I was a student at Savannah High when Harris taught there; I was not blessed to have been assigned to her class, but was privileged to have known her when we both worked for the Board of Education. She was a rare and funny person. I shall miss her! Rest well, Harris Kandel Lentini! It was my pleasure to have known you.
- Cheryl Grayson, Savannah, GA
Andrew & family, I am so sorry for your loss. Harris must have been an amazing woman. I feel like I know a little bit of her creative and thoughtful spirit through spending time with Andrew. I hope for comfort and fond memories as you mourn.
- Kevin Kirsche, Athens, GA
What can I say - there are not enough words to express what Harris has done. The list is long. Savannah has lost one of my heros, a woman in a man's world .First woman alderman in Savannah. She broke the barrier. God love her for helping battered women in Savannah. And for just being Harris. And for being my cousin. And for always saying, when she saw me “give me some sugar.”
- Phillip Kandel, Vieques, PR
Andrew, I am sorry for your loss. God Bless you and your family during this difficult time.
- Kathy Hines, Athens, GA
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Harris was vital,energetic and a wonderful force to be reckoned with.
- Frances Smith, Savannah, GA
I remember with fondness Harris and her Oatland Island colleagues with whom I was acquainted when I lived in Savannah during the 1980s and worked with the United Way. Sending sincere condolences to her family and Low Country friends.
- Deborah Stevens Hamilton, Blacksburg, VA
To the family of Dr Lentini, I currently serve on the board of SAFE shelter and wish to express our deepest sympathy on the death of your mother. Her legacy at the shelter has touched so many lives since she founded the orginizaiton. We are thankful for for her visionary act in providing men, women and children a safe home from their abuser. There are countless lives that have been impacted by this gift. The services offered will continue long into the future and we will always share the name of Dr Harris Kandel Lentini as one of our founders. Sincerly
- Agnes Cannella-SAFE Board Secretary, Savannah, GA
Harris will be missed with her dry sense of humor and seemingly endless talent.
- Sandi Lowe, Savannah, GA
I'll miss Harris' spirit, humor, and feistiness. I could always count on her enthusiasm for a new project and her questions were always direct and succinct. Her loyalty was unquestionable and I appreciated her support - she would do her best to sign up for whatever class I was teaching, as long as it was something she felt like fit her creativity in sewing!
- Sidney, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear of this! I was a student at Savannah High when Harris taught there; I was not blessed to have been assigned to her class, but was privileged to have known her when we both worked for the Board of Education. She was a rare and funny person. I shall miss her! Rest well, Harris Kandel Lentini! It was my pleasure to have known you.
- Cheryl Grayson, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
