Alice Bess Fink Levkoff

Alice Bess Fink Levkoff, 97, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Dr. Abner H. Levkoff, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, March 21, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.  Her graveside service will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 in Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery, Huguenin Avenue at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

Alice was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 28, 1926.  Shortly thereafter, her family moved to South Bend, Indiana, where she grew up. Alice graduated from the University of Michigan in 1946 and worked in public relations in New York and Chicago until her marriage in 1950 to Dr. Abner H. Levkoff, of Charleston, SC. After her husband served in the Army Medical Corp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, the couple moved to Charleston for a year before Dr. Levkoff joined a pediatric practice in Alice’s hometown of South Bend. In 1968, the family, now with three daughters, returned to Charleston where Dr. Levkoff developed the first Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery in South Carolina at MUSC. Alice’s growing interest in architecture led her to the Historic Charleston Foundation. She contributed to the Foundation in many capacities, including administering the newly opened Edmonston-Alston House Museum, writing histories for the Annual Festival of House and Gardens fundraisers and reviewing Robert Whitelaw’s collection of period Charleston photographs. After Whitelaw’s death, Alice continued the project of editing the photos and authored a descriptive text culminating in the book, Charleston Come Hell or Highwater, published in 1975. Other community endeavors included serving as president for The League of Women Voters, organizing book sales supporting The Friends of the Charleston County Library, including the first one 42 years ago, and designing, with Harold Wade, the Heritage Rose Trail for the 9th International Heritage Rose conference, held in Charleston in 2011. Alice’s life was enriched by her participation in the Sisterhood for Congregation Beth Elohim, the Athena Women’s Group, and her book clubs. She enjoyed travel, tennis, bridge and spending time with her family.

Alice is survived by her daughters: Amy L. Hudnall (David) of Woodbridge, CT, Ann L. Reynolds (Kirk) of Tampa, FL, and Alison L. Taylor (Brad) of Saratoga Springs, NY; her grandchildren: Katie Hudnall, Molly Hudnall, Hannah Reynolds Wilson, William Taylor and Benjamin Taylor; two great-grandchildren and another on the way; and her sister, Roberta Fink Jacobson. Alice was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Abner; and by her sister, Ilene Fink Alpern. 

The family invites you to a Celebration of Alice's Life on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in the Bishop Gadsden Conservatory, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Temple of Beth Elohim Reform Congregation, 90 Hassell Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or the MUSC Foundation, Campaign for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Hospital, 59 Bee Street, MSC 201, Charleston, SC 29425 and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund at www.plannedparenthood.org.