Lenor Ribeiro

Born on September 25, 1919

Departed on November 27, 2015 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Dr. L. S. Ribeiro 9/25/1919-11/27/2015
Dr. Lenor de Sa' Ribeiro was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on September 25 1919. Orphaned at age of 16 and left to support himself and his younger brother, he eventually put them both through medical school by working nights as a student teacher in biology and biochemistry. His education was interrupted by the onset of WWII when he volunteered for Brazilian Army and served as an infantry officer for 3 years. He graduated from the Fluminense University Medical School in 1947 with a degree in Medicine.
After marrying his long time sweetheart Maria Joao Aquiar in 1949, the young family which now included an infant daughter Silvia immigrated to the United States in 1951. Dr. Ribeiro began his medical career as an intern at St John Hospital in Lowell MA, with residencies at Tewksbury MA and Youngstown OH. It was during this time that his son Roberto was born. Accepting a position in 1956 as a staff physician at Davidson County Hospital, the family settled in Nashville TN where two daughters, Elizabeth and Monica, were born.
With his relentless drive and work ethic, Dr. Ribeiro overcame the language barrier to quickly rise through the ranks as clinical director, medical director, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and finally to administrator at what was now known as The Nashville Metropolitan Bordeaux hospital. During his time there, he was known as a tireless champion of the poor and elderly insisting those under his care be given the opportunity to live and die with dignity regardless of their socio-economic status. To this end, he was the driving force in bringing the facility out of the draconian conditions common in a 1950's asylum and poor house to the modern, accredited, convalescent care facility that still exists today, including a building named in his honor. Dr. Ribeiro retired in 1983 after 27 years of distinguished service to the community.
His professional memberships and affiliations include: faculty member at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Visiting Professor at Meharry Medical College. He was also a member of The American Academy of Hospital Administrators, American Medical Association, Nashville Academy of Medicine, American Psychiatric Association, Southern Medical Association, Tennessee Medical Association, Middle Tennessee Hospital Council, Special Counsel for Medical Affairs to The Middle Tennessee Council of The Boy Scouts of America, and President of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Pan American Association.
His many honors include: "Outstanding Civil Servant of the Year" Nashville TN 1965, The Tennessee Health Care Association Distinguished Professional Service Award 1977, The Tennessee Hospital Assn. Meritorious Service Award 1979, and The Boy Scouts of America Long Rifle Award.
Dr. Ribeiro was a devoted husband and father while also maintaining a relationship with his extended Brazilian family. In the late 1990's, Dr. Ribeiro returned to Brazil to care for his ailing wife Maria who passed in 2005. During this same period, he continued his many humanitarian and philanthropic efforts including the restoration of the century old Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in his childhood home of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro. Returning to Nashville in 2007, he lived a quiet life at his home in Bellevue until his peaceful passing on Nov 27 2015 at age 96.
Dr. Ribeiro was predeceased by his loving wife Maria Aguiar Ribeiro and survived by his children Silvia Maria Gordon (Alan), Roberto A. Ribeiro (Mary), Elizabeth Hudson Guillbeau (Ronnie), and Monica R. Ribeiro (Randy); his grandchildren Matthew Hudson (Laura) and Julia Gordon; and his great grandchildren Asher and Ruby Hudson. The family offers their most sincere thanks to Dr. Ribeiro's care givers Mary and Theresa.
Visitation will be held on Friday Dec 18 2015 between 5-7 PM at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM the following day Saturday Dec 19, also at St Henry.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Cecilia Academy | 4210 Harding Pike | Nashville, TN 37205 | (615) 298-4525 | info@stcecilia.edu