Joanne Hologitas, Ph.D.

Newport, RI - Joanne (Vardakis) Hologgitas, Ph.D., 88, of Broadway, Newport, RI, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015 at Newport Hospital.She was the wife of the late Constantine "Gus" Hologgitas.Born on June 26, 1927 in Pawtucket, RI, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Catherine (Jacovakis) Vardakis.Dr. Hologgitas was a Clinical Chemist and served as Associate Director of the Biochemistry Department at RI Hospital in Providence before retiring in 1988. She set up the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at Newport Hospital in 1951. Then as Laboratory supervisor and Director of Medical Technology, she established a School of Medical Technology in conjunction with Salve Regina University. Dr. Hologgitas was Past President of the Newport Hospital Auxiliary and was the 2009 Auxiliarian of the Year. She graduated from Pembroke College, now Brown University, and received her Ph.D from the University of RI. Dr. Hologgitas was a member of the Greek American Women's Organization, St. Spyridon Church in Newport and was a 53 year member and Past Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope where she represented the group in her travels in the states, and in Canada as well as in Greece. She was instrumental in getting a statue of Penelope for a museum in San Francisco, CA to commemerate their 60th anniversay. She worked with AHEPA, the male counterpart of the Daughters, which established, with the assistance of HUD, 82 units for the elderly and/or disabled in Newport. She is survived by her sister, Bessie Vardakis Mihailides and her husband, Manny, of East Greenwich, RI and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Charles Vardakis, George Vardakis, Krisanthy Bush, and Michael Vardakis.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 PM in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.Her funeral will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10:00 AM in St. Spyridon Church, 390 Thames Street, Newport, RI. Burial will follow in Middletown Four Corners Cemetery, Middletown, RI.Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be made to the St. Spyridon Church Endowment Fund, 390 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840. Cemetery Details Middletown Four Corners Cemetery Turner and Wyatt Roads Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation SEP 17. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Visitation SEP 18. 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US Service SEP 18. 10:00 AM St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US