Efrosene Kalezis Obituary

Efrosene (Capsanes) Kalezis – born February 6, 1932, passed peacefully Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Efrosene was the eldest child born to Catherine (Cavacos) and Peter Capsanes. She was born at home at 36th Street and Roland Avenue in Baltimore/Hampden, Maryland above the family business known as Cavacos Drug Store.

Efrosene attended Robert Poole #56, Roland Park School, and Eastern High School graduating in 1950 and then attended Mt. St. Agnes College in Mt. Washington graduating in 1954. She earned her AA degree in the medical secretarial curriculum and transferred to a biology major completing her four-year requirements earning a BA in biology. She was classified as a Laboratory Technologist. Her college yearbook described her among other things, as "…high enthusiasm and essential eagerness were her dominating features of her ineffable spirit. Well supplied with words and with competence, an unforgettable campus asset."  She also attended Greek School becoming proficient speaking, reading, and writing Greek. Efrosene's first position as Lab Technologist was at Church Home and Hospital where she used her medical secretarial skills transcribing doctors EKG readings and results.

At an early age, she became involved with the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, was a member of social services, counseling, organized blood drives, worked festivals and many other church activities.

Efrosene met Michael Kalezis while in college and were married October 30, 1955, moving to Danville, Virginia. While living there she worked at the local hospital and became involved in activities with St. Peter's Greek Orthodox Church including substitute organist for the choir and secretary for the philanthropic organization, Philoptochos.

They eventually moved back to Baltimore, Maryland where she began a 36- year career with The Johns Hopkins Hospital as a clinical chemistry technologist. Upon retirement, Efrosene was approached by the Head of Hopkins Human Resources to help in the medical staff office with recordkeeping. She took this as a temporary position and stayed 10 years.

Efrosene was a dedicated medical professional and active member of the Greek Orthodox community, known for her lifelong commitment to family, faith, and service. Her life journey reflected a blend of academic achievement, professional excellence, and community involvement.  She also enjoyed cooking, baking, well-known for her paximadia (Greek biscotti) traveling nationally and internationally, reading and knitting. She always stayed current with world-wide, medical and health issues.  If anyone needed help, especially family, Efrosene was ALWAYS there.

Efrosene was predeceased by her parents, Catherine and Peter Capsanes, Grandmother Mary T. Cavacos, her husband of 65 years, Michael Kalezis, brother Theodore Peter Capsanes, sister-in-law Patricia (Lewis) Capsanes and close relatives. She is survived by her sister Titsa Capsanes Bronstein, brother-in-law, Manny Bronstein, many close relatives, nieces, nephews, godson, James Capsanes and close friends.

Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26), on Sunday, November 23rd, from 3 to 7 PM, where a Trisagion Service will be held at 6 PM.  Efrosene will lie-in-repose at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, on Monday, November 24th, from 10 to 10:30 am, at which time a service will begin.  Interment Greek Orthodox Cemetery, 5917 Windsor Mill Rd., Woodlawn, MD 21207.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 24 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, https://annunciationbaltimore.org