Marsha Poliakoff

Marsha Levin Poliakoff died on June 4, 2015, at the age of 89 at Spartanburg Medical Center. She died peacefully, surrounded by family. Marsha was born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 12, 1925 to Benjamin and Fannie Asner Levin. She moved to Miami, Florida after graduating high school. In 1949, she moved to Spartanburg when she married her husband of 30 years, Matthew Poliakoff. Marsha attended the University of Miami and Converse College. After Matthew died in 1979, Marsha returned to college. She received her BA in English from USC-S. Later she commuted to USC in Columbia and received her Master's Degree in English with emphasis in creative writing. She was fluent in three languages. Marsha was an accomplished author. Several of her plays have been produced. One play, Jacksey's Lawyer, was produced at the Spotlighter's Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland, where it ran for over a month as part of the Baltimore Playwright's Festival and was designated "Best of Festival" by the Baltimore Sun. It was also produced twice at USC-U. All proceeds from the production were used to fund the Matthew Poliakoff Scholarship there. Another play won on two levels of competition held by the National League of American Pen Women. Other plays include Guaranteed Loveseat, produced at Converse College; The Pear Orchard; Mencken's Block; Our Village Remembered, produced at Temple B'nai Israel; and From the Ram Bam. She was considered an expert on H.L. Mencken and his works, having been mentioned in biographies of Mencken and asked to speak at the Mencken Society. Works of fiction by Marsha include "Chasing Small Creatures," and a novel. Some of Marsha's nonfiction has appeared in Hub City Publications. Those nonfiction pieces include "Overbrook Circle," published in the Hub City Writer's Christmas Collection, and "The Most Famous Man." Her articles on Dr. Rosa Gantt and Dr. Joseph Goldstein were published in the South Carolina Encyclopedia. She also wrote a column, Schtichlach, for several years. Her skits, columns, poems, stories, and articles appeared in various journals and print media. Marsha's most exhaustive study was a book on the history of Jewish life in Spartanburg, which she researched, conducted interviews for, and wrote during a period of more than ten years, a true labor of love. In 2010 she published Portraits of a People: A History of Jewish Life in Spartanburg, South Carolina, her proudest achievement. Marsha is a winner of the Winston Hardegree Writers' Scholarship. She received awards for her writing from Converse College, the Hub City Writers' Workshop, the Writers' Workshop of Asheville, the Zimmerman Short Story Contest, the Small Southern Colleges Group, and the National League of Pen Women. Marsha's biography is included in Literary South Carolina, a compendium of noteworthy writers in this state. She is listed as a playwright in the South Carolina Writers' Directory by the South Carolina Arts Commission and is noted as an award-winner of the Best Humor in Small College Periodicals. Marsha leaves behind many wonderful friends from her art group. She produced many beautiful paintings and other works of art. A member of Temple B'nai Israel for more than 60 years, Marsha was active in Temple committees and organizations including Sisterhood and Hadassah. Her faith was important to her, and she participated in religious and cultural events her entire life. She also participated in countless bake sales and other fundraising events. She served as Temple Historian for nearly 20 years, during which time she conducted the extensive interviews which formed the foundation of her book. Marsha is survived by her four children, Andrew Poliakoff (Mary) and Gary Poliakoff (Anne), all of Spartanburg, SC, Berne Poliakoff (Larry) of Atlanta, GA, and Phaye Poliakoff-Chen (Allen) of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Matthew Poliakoff, Alexandra Poliakoff, Elliot Chen, and Matthew Chen. She was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother. The family would like to thank the many compassionate and dedicated caregivers at Spartanburg Medical Center CCU and Restorative Care. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, June 7, 2015, at Temple B'nai Israel, conducted by Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz. Burial will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Hub City Writers' Project, c/o Masonic Temple, 186 West Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; or Temple B'nai Israel, 146 Heywood Ave., Spartanburg, SC 29302. Family members are at their respective homes. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Marsha Levin Poliakoff please visit our Sympathy Store.