Henrietta Martha Polan Landsman
Henrietta Martha Polan Landsman passed away at the age of 92 in San Antonio on Saturday April 22, 2023. She died peacefully at home in the company of family and loving caregivers after a long and fulfilling life.
She was born in Charleston, West Virginia on February 2, 1931, to Harry Polan and Evelyn Broh Polan. She graduated from the National Cathedral School in Washington D.C. and Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
After college, she visited a relative in San Antonio and was introduced to Richard M. Landsman. They were married on April 20, 1952 and remained married for 49 years until his death in 2001. They had four children, Molly Ellen, Broh, Missy and Betsy.
Martha’s mother died when she was five and she was raised to be a strong and independent woman by her father, who she revered, and her grandfather, a Coca Cola bottler and prominent citizen in West Virginia. Martha was dedicated to her family and many dear friends, her Jewish faith, West Virginia heritage and Coca Cola. She was a generous contributor to charitable and political causes, Democrats, and countless individuals in need. She enjoyed serving on many boards, including the Witte Museum and Our Lady of the Lake locally, The State of Texas Committee for the Humanities, and the Advisory Committee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She has been honored by the United Way and National Conference of Christians and Jews. Her lifetime was marked by countless selfless acts of kindness.
Martha’s introduction to politics came early. She grew up living next door to the Governor’s mansion in West Virginia and her best friend was the daughter of the governor. Martha was an early supporter of Governor Ann Richards and Presidents Clinton and Obama and enjoyed attending Democratic National Conventions with her grandchildren. At the 2004 convention she sat with Speaker Nancy Pelosi to hear Barack Obama’s Keynote speech. Her politics never interfered with friendships and civility. She had a wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, was plain spoken, genuine and unpretentious.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Evelyn Polan and stepmother Camilla Polan; sisters Barbara Boiarsky and Carol Jo Garrison; her husband “Dickie” and two children, Molly Ellen and Harriet Ann “Missy” Berler. She is survived by her son, Broh Landsman (Carrie), Betsy Levin (David Levin), son-in-law Jeff Berler; grandchildren Elizabeth Berler Brand (Jon), Ben Landsman (Tiffany), Caroline Berler (Laura), Blair Levin, Matthew Berler (Ben), Peter Landsman, Sam Landsman (Anna), Martha Betsy Levin, Charlie Landsman, Emma Williams and Ben Williams; great-grandchildren Rose Brand, Henry Brand, Louis Landsman, and Hazel Berler; brother Josh Polan (Judy); nieces and nephews Marc Boiarsky, Bobby Boiarsky (Alise), Susana Hill (Chad), Hilary Cohen, Leslie Katz (David), and Matt Goldsmith; greatnieces and nephews Alex Boiarsky, Daniel Boiarsky (Becca), Jonathan Boiarsky (Danielle), and Eitan Boiarsky; and great-great nephews and nieces Ilan and Maddie Boiarsky.
Martha’s family wishes to extend their grateful appreciation to the Galvan extended family who lovingly and capably cared for Martha in the best possible way allowing her to remain comfortably in her home. Martha and Imelda Galvan have been together caring for one another for over 40 years.
A Funeral Service and Celebration of Martha’s Life will be held at Temple Beth-el in the Wulfe Sanctuary, 211 Belknap Place, San Antonio, Tx at 11:00 o’clock on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 preceded by a private burial service at the Temple Beth-el Cemetery (Palmetto). Pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Janet Alyn, Marilyn Dubinski, Seymour Dreyfus, and Stanley Schoenbaum. All the Services will be livestreamed on the memorial for her at www. missionparks.com. A reception will follow in the Barshop Auditorium at Temple Beth- El. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or The Landsman Family Relief Fund of Temple Beth-el, 211 Belknap Place, San Antonio, Tx 78212.