Doris R. Levinson

New London - Doris R. Levinson (Goldstein), 93, formerly of New London, died peacefully on Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, with family by her side.

She was born Dec. 11, 1920, in New York City, the daughter of Samuel and Ella Gladston. Mrs. Levinson grew up in Cedarhurst, Long Island. She graduated from Lawrence High School and then received a bachelor of arts degree at Connecticut College in 1941, where she was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She went on to the School of Social Work at the University of Chicago, where she lived in International House, completing her courses in 1943, and receiving her master's of social work degree a few years later.

While attending Connecticut College, she met Benjamin Levinson of New London but put off his marriage proposal until she could complete her college and graduate studies. They married in 1943 and had two sons, Stephen E., born in 1944, and Andrew J., born in 1949. Both sons survive, as do their respective spouses, Diana Sheets and Deborah Reik, along with three grandchildren, Eleanor, Amanda, and Samuel, children of Andrew and Deborah.

Mrs. Levinson, by training and inclination, pursued human service activities where she could help others in her adopted home in New London. While her children were young, she volunteered for the American Red Cross-Home Service, the League of Women Voters, and New London Day Nursery, serving on their boards. In the late 1950s she began teaching and student counseling at Mitchell College, which she continued into the 1980s. She also served for more than 30 years on the board and for some time as president of the Family Service Association.

Mrs. Levinson was instrumental in establishing the need for the Child Guidance Clinic, was co-founder of the Homemaker/Home Health Clinic, and helped establish the Jewish Family Service. She served for more than a decade on the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut's research and planning division. She was also a member of the executive committee of the Pequot Community Foundation. She served for more than two decades as a trustee of the Coit Fund and as a trustee of the Palmer-Bodenwein Fund, including seven years as a member of the Fund's Advisory Committee. For her various activities, Mrs. Levinson received the Unsung Hero of 1990 award from the New London Rotary Club.

In the 1970s, Mrs. Levinson became active politically, participating in an insurgent slate seeking to replace what they saw as an entrenched Democratic Town Committee. A compromise was reached, and Mrs. Levinson along with several others, was seated as a member of the committee. At that time she also became more active in Democratic Party electoral politics, hosting events that helped launch the political careers of Chris Dodd, Sam Gejdenson, and Dick Schneller.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Congregation Beth-El Synagogue, 660 Ocean Ave., New London. Burial will be at the Beth-El Cemetery in Groton.

The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London, has charge of the arrangements.

Contributions may be made to the Doris R. and Benjamin A. Levinson Fund of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

www.neilanfuneralhome.com