Marilyn (Sundell) Levinson

November 2, 1930 - April 23, 2021

“You Should Live

and Be Well”

The end of an era. Marilyn Levinson, last of the five children (Sidney Sundell, Beatrice Irwin, Zelda Simon, Abner Sundell) of Isadore and Mollie (Cotton) Sundell, died peacefully at home. Native of Brooklyn, NY, lived many years in Great Neck, NY and South Florida, and moved to Oakland, CA in 2012. Loving and cherished mother of Ilene (Rem van Tijen) and Marc Levinson (Djenane Durosier); granddaughter Michelle van Tijen (Josh Gould) and great grandsons Reuben and Zebulon. Leaves behind other very beloved family and friends from different walks of life. Graduate of James Madison High School (Brooklyn) and attended Brooklyn College. Married to Paul Levinson (d. 2011) for 59 years. Worked in women’s undergarment family business in NYC, was a traditional 1960’s housewife raising her family, and, later returned to work at Lord & Taylor in Aventura, FL where she was most proud to have been recognized as a Diamond Star employee. She loved spending time with family, bridge games, being a Temple Sinai member, and, while living at St. Paul’s Towers in Oakland from 2012-2020, serving on the resident council and welcoming committee, sharing her love of Broadway shows, and, of course, playing lots of bridge! After an unexpected hospitalization, and due to Covid-related restrictions, she spent her last year living with her daughter and son-in-law in a pandemic bubble, along with her adored granddaughter, grandson-in-law, great grandsons and closest friends. Her life memoir “And I’m Still Here” didn’t quite get finished before her passing but it is in the works!

As was characteristic of her selfless nature, she donated her body to medical research through the UCSF Willed Body Program. A private service was held Sunday, April 25. Donations may be made in her memory to Temple Sinai of Oakland, CA (Preschool or General Fund), 2808 Summit Street, Oakland, CA 94609; Shalom Bayit, P.O. Box 2883, Berkeley, CA 94702; or Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org).