It is with great sadness that we announce that Marian Moose Levy joined eternity on December 12, 2017, surrounded with dignity and love in the presence of her children Richard, Barbara and Diane and her friend Lucrecia.
She was born in Oakland on November 26, 1923, the only child of Belle and Ed Moose. She spent her childhood years there and in Piedmont. She attended UC Berkeley, studying general curriculum courses and history. As good luck would have it, she met an engineering student, Robert Levy. They fell in love, and married in 1943. They spent the war years in Los Angeles, and then Jackson, Mississippi before moving back to San Francisco where her husband served the City for 39 years, as City Engineer and Superintendent of Building Inspection.
They delighted in raising their family in their Sylvan Drive home, which became a focal point of the neighborhood. They enjoyed family vacations to the UC Alumni camps in the Sierras, as well as the infamous summer 'road trips'. Marian and Bob were eager to travel the world, and enjoyed exploring the many highlights of Europe, Russia and China. After Bob's death in 1985, she was fortunate to find love with Meyer Kahn, and they were close for many years.
Her family held the key to her heart. She and Bob instilled in their children the values of integrity and responsibility, a sense of adventure, and secure foundation of love and respect. She absolutely adored her grandchildren Jeremy, Rosalie and Daniel Carnam, and they were precious parts of each other's lives.
Marian was a force of nature, an energetic woman with a true zest for life. She lived and loved fearlessly and with passion. Whether for a Giants game or the opera, she always dressed in style, and had the nails to match. She never hesitated to speak her mind, whether you wanted to hear it or not! She was a lady who truly made a statement.
Her generous nature was what set Marian apart. For anyone who was in need, she was there. She was Ma Levy, the second mom to more of her children's friends than we could count. Each one of them knew her genuine love and care. She set a glittering table that welcomed both friends and strangers. If you were invited into her home for family celebrations, you became part of the mishpuchah. She delighted in sending gifts and flowers to her friends, knowing there was as much pleasure in the mitzvah of giving as receiving.
Marian was the consummate civic minded volunteer. She brought energy and dedication to every organization with which she was involved. As a natural leader, she took on the positions of room mother, PTA president, and Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood president. She was instrumental in developing the lovely Bible Walk for Golden Gate Park's Strybing Arboretum. Her years as a scout leader and Bayshore Elementary School volunteer were especially enjoyable, where she was able to bring her attention and positive influence to many young children. They remember her with great appreciation and affection. She served Mayor Brown's administration on the San Francisco Commission on Aging.
She enriched her life, and that of those around her with her love of beauty and her intelligence. Her home was always filled with fresh flowers, and her collection of books reflected her wide interests focusing on architecture, art and travel. The family home was brimming with family photos and souvenirs from her many adventures. She enthusiastically attended political lectures at Fromm Institute, and was probably the oldest conversational Spanish student at City College.
Marian was blessed with a long rich life, full of everything that makes life worth living; love, family, friends, the opportunity to make a difference in her world, and a wonderful sense of adventure. She embraced life and left us all the better for it, and would wish the same for all of those whom she so loved. While we will miss her tremendously, we will never be without her. She exemplifies a life well lived.