Marcia Gruss Levinsohn of Silver Spring, Maryland passed away on October 5, 2025. She was the wife of Jack Gruss and later Maurice Levinsohn, both deceased. She is survived by her children Phyllis Schwartz (Ken), Debbie Wood (Roy), Nanette Gruss, Marian Dowling (John) and Martin Gruss; grandchildren Jamie Wood, Linda Schwartz, Mandy Shankman (Andy) and Sandra Schwartz (Tony Maiolatesi). She will be remembered as Elterbobe to William and Agnes; Isaac, Adira and Eilah; and Talia. She is also survived by step-daughter Marlene Shufro (Ed) and family.
She graduated from Oglethorpe University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and then from the University of Maryland with a Masters Degree in Human Development. She loved Israeli folk dancing, and led a group,Tanz L’Chayim, for teenagers. Marcia authored two children’s books in Yiddish and was the official Yiddish translator of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. She led adult Yiddish reading groups and held summer camp for children to learn and enjoy Yiddish vocabulary and songs.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will have a Memorial event on Monday morning October 27, 2025 at Leisure World. RSVP to [email protected]
I was very sorry to read about the passing of Ms. Gruss Levinsohn.
As the University Librarian at Oglethorpe University, I would like to honor Ms. Gruss Levinsohn with a book in the library collection in her memory. If a family member would reach out to me with a title, I will purchase it and place a memorial book plate in the front cover with her name.
You can reach me via email at [email protected].
Eli Arnold
Oglethorpe University