In Memory Of Marcia Karp

(This belated article was inspired by former Mayor Tony Santos, who wanted to make sure that her passing was not overlooked.)

Marcia Karp, the wife of former Mayor David S. Karp, passed away on April 2 at the age of 76.

Nancy Fong of the San Leandro Public Library said Marcia started volunteering for the library after her husband died in 1993 and had kept up that connection ever since.

“Marcia was very active with the Friends of the San Leandro Library as a Gift Shop Volunteer, and was one of their buyers,” Fong said, in addition to service on the Friends of the Library board. “Marcia always had a smile on her face, welcomed everyone into the gift shop, supported the Friends and the Library, and was a good friend to those who knew her.”

Former Mayor Tony Santos said the Karps were a special force in city politics.

“Dave Karp was the only Jewish Mayor the City of San Leandro ever had,” Santos said. “Mayor Karp was one of a kind and his wife, first lady of San Leandro during Dave's time as Mayor, had great influence on the city.”

Among other things, Santos said that Marcia Karp was an early user of computers for campaign and other political and civic purposes.

“She kept a list of all of Dave's supporters,” Santos recalled fondly. “I tried getting a copy but she did not share the information with anyone.”

Santos described Marcia Karp as “a great lady” who could have been appointed mayor by the City Council when her husband died in 1993. But she turned down the possible appointment.

“Boy would San Leandro be a different place if Marcia had become Mayor,” Santos said.

Marcia Karp is survived by her son Dennis Karp and his wife Pam of Chandler, Arizona, and also by her daughter Judy and Judy’s husband, Loren Murray, of Granite Bay, California.

Marcia Karp loved, and was loved by, her grandchildren, Tiffany Murray, Austin Murray and David Karp.

A memorial service in celebration of her life was held on Sunday, April 8 at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.

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