Marilyn Feldman

Marilyn Richman Feldman, 83, wife of Dr. Leon Feldman, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at home in Charleston, SC. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Brith Sholom Beth Israel Cemetery on Sycamore Avenue in Charleston. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Marilyn was born May 21, 1930, in Savannah, Georgia, the daughter of Ruth and George Richman. Very much a child of Savannah, Marilyn spent many summer days with friends on the beach at Tybee Island. She first met her husband of 65 years, Leon Feldman, on a blind date orchestrated by Leon's sister, Lena, in December 1946. The date for Marilyn was initially set up for Lena's brother-in-law, but when he cancelled, Lena called on Leon, who was stationed at nearby Parris Island. Less than two years later, Marilyn and Leon were married in Savannah. The couple then moved to Charleston where they built a home and family.

Marilyn's defining traits were her uncommon kindness and her broad smile. In a large, spirited extended family that could be daunting for outsiders, Marilyn was the inclusive ambassador, always eager to make newcomers and guests welcome. Among the family's possessions are numerous letters from friends of the family thanking Marilyn for her warmth over her lifetime. Marilyn was the consummate hostess. The Feldman home in Charleston's West Ashley neighborhood was known as the "Feldman Sheldon Inn," a place where family and friends could drop by unannounced to visit at the kitchen table for Marilyn's signature thin pancakes or to gather in the den to watch a ballgame.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dr. Leon Feldman of Charleston; four children: daughter and son-in-law, Ellen Arnovitz Plasker and Michael Plasker of Atlanta, son, H. Stanley Feldman of Charleston, son and daughter-in-law, Stuart and Johanna Feldman of Charleston, daughter, Nancy Feldman of New York; six grandchildren: Kevin Arnovitz of Los Angeles, Staci Arnovitz and husband, Sam Finkelstein of London, England, W. Aaron Feldman and wife, Alana of New York, William Feldman of San Francisco, Pearlann Arnovitz and husband, Andrew Rosenzweig of Atlanta, Jenny Feldman of Chapel Hill, NC; three great grandchildren: Maya and Cameron Finkelstein of London, England and Sienna Feldman of New York; brother and sister-in-law, Sanford and Sandra Richman of Potomac, MD, sister-in-law, Lena Solomon of Boston, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Shirley and Arnold Prystowsky of Charleston; numerous nieces and nephews and loving caregiver Katrina Barr of Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue at 182 Rutledge Avenue, 29403 or Gentiva Hospice Foundation 4975 Lacrosse Road, Suite 200, North Charleston, SC 29405.