August 25, 2020
In Memoriam: Dr. Susan H. Marsh, professor emeritus shaped political science curriculum
Dr. Susan H. Marsh, professor emeritus of political science who created several department course offerings and helped found the Asian Studies Program at Providence College, died on Aug. 6, 2020, at home in Cambridge, Mass.
Dr. Marsh, who retired in 1994, came to the College in 1977 after serving for many years as a part-time faculty member in political science at Brown University. Hired as assistant professor, she was promoted to associate professor in 1981 and to professor in 1989. She served as department chair from 1982-1984 and was director of the faculty exchange program from 1987-1991.
Born in Shanghai, China, Dr. Marsh was admired by her colleagues for her scholarly brilliance, collegiality, and genuine concern for the College.
“Susan was a distinguished scholar of modern Chinese politics, quite well known among political scientists who study China, and when she joined our department, she enhanced considerably our scholarly reputation,” said Dr. William E. Hudson, professor of political science.
Hudson said her most significant scholarly contribution was the English translation, with commentary, of the complete Writings of Chairman Mao Tse-tung: 1949-1976 (originally published in 1951), a translation she co-authored with Dr. Ying-Mao Kau of Brown University. It is considered a critical reference for modern China scholars to this day, said Hudson. He noted Dr. Marsh also co-authored China in the Era of Deng Xiaoping: A Decade of Reform (Routledge; 1993) with Kau.
Dr. Marsh’s legacy is strongly in evidence at PC today, said Hudson. Several of the courses she created in Chinese and Asian politics continue to be offered and taught by the department’s current specialist on China, Dr. Susan K. McCarthy, professor of political science. Dr. Marsh also was instrumental in the creation of the Asian Studies Program and was a model of “capable academic leadership” as a department chair for colleagues like himself who followed her in that role, said Hudson.
“She was well respected throughout the campus for her thoughtfulness and wisdom. We all adored Susan for her generous, warm spirit,” he said.
Dr. Mary L. Bellhouse, professor emeritus of political science, who joined the department at the same time as Dr. Marsh in fall 1977, said Dr. Marsh was an exceptional international scholar and a woman of many talents.
“I admired Susan not only for her first-rate scholarship, but also for her strong and effective commitment to Providence College and to our department,” said Bellhouse. “At the same time, I was continually impressed by her profound love of and generosity toward her family.
“In my experience, Susan was always gracious, thoughtful, and fair-minded. She was a handsome woman with a warm smile and a quiet, yet lively and aware manner. She was witty, wise, kind, and strong. We all felt lucky to have her as a colleague. I am grateful to have known her.”
The eldest of seven children, Dr. Marsh earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in Shanghai in 1948. She went on to attain a master’s degree from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In addition to PC and Brown, she taught or held research associateships at Stanford, Columbia, and Cornell universities and at Richmond College in London.
She is survived by three children, two stepchildren, two granddaughters, three stepgrandchildren, three siblings, and many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. at The Parish of the Good Shepherd in Newton, Mass. The service is limited to a small group of family and close friends due to COVID-19 concerns but will be live-streamed on the church’s website. Burial will be private.
