Marshall, I consider it a great privilege to have known you and to have learned Torah with you, or more correctly from you. The Torah you taught was in the sefarim we studied but was also in the way you interacted with people.  There were life lessons to be gleaned from the gentle way you spoke, not only when Lisa or your mother called, but even when the aides in the nursing home came into your room. Your humble and unassuming nature despite your intellectual prowess, and your courage to persevere through a devastating disease without ever uttering a complaint, are qualities which will never be forgotten. 

I'm grateful for Marshall, from the first time he met our family (during the most postponed "Sheva Brachot" in history ) wholeheartedly joining Lisa as part of our extended family, putting such effort into being with us for simchas or adding a stop in Kansas City on his way to China (Not actually on the way...). I'm grateful to have had him as a role model of humility and Avodat Hashem. He was a Tsadik, leaving more of an impression the closer one looked.  I am most grateful that Hashem brought Marshall into Lisa's life, allowing them to share a love that his passing can't erase.

To the Joffe Family,

Please accept our sincerest condolences. 
We are thinking of you. 

With deepest sympathy and love,

Keri, Roy, Meryl and Michael Brenner

Like a true gem, Marshall was multifaceted.   Talented in so many ways, which made his humility that much more remarkable.   A true embodiment of dedication- to his wife, his profession, his religious observance, and his deep respect for his friends and visitors.   Always a kind word, always appreciative of anything anyone did for him.   Never complaining of his condition or his lot in life   
 A sharp mind with insight in his profession, Torah  study, and observance, who thoughtfulness and caring for others, as well as a keen wit.  His  devotion to observance despite pain and and adversity will continue to inspire all who were privileged to know him.   

Marshall was always so kind and supportive. It is fortunate to be one of the students he had advised. 

Marshall was a kind, gentle, soul.  At Harvard Hillel in the early 1980s, he was the gabbai, a job he relished, and one that he performed with grace and sensitivity.  Although I had not been in touch with him since school, I am gratified to learn that he was a caring husband and talented professional.  My condolences to the family, and may his memory be for a blessing.

Marshall was a kind and gentle soul always meticulous in his Davening  and his work. I remember him riding his scooter to Shul in the early morning darkness. His soft-spoken manner and incredible efforts to continue his work were tremendously inspiring. May his memory be a blessing to Lisa his friends and colleagues

The last time I visited Marshall Lisa entered the room .
The entire atmosphere  in the room changed.  His face lit up and I could see how much they loved each other.  I was a beautiful sight.

Marshall was a kindest colleague I have ever had. His encouragement and support  during my junior years in my career meant a great deal to me. His kindness will always be in my memory. May him rest in peace. 

Just one example of Marshall’s kindness was the way, during college, he quietly but consistently made sure that there were enough other students present at early prayer services every morning so that a classmate who had recently lost a parent would be able to recite kaddish.  May his memory be a blessing and source of inspiration.

Marshall Joffe was an incredible researcher, mentor, and all around human being.  I was fortunate enough to be mentored by Marshall when I first arrived to Penn. He opened my mind to new ways of thinking about biostatistics and epidemiology. Through him I gained expertise in topics that were previously abstract and obscure. He was always patient, gentle, and kind, but firm, and maintained high standards for his work and that of his mentees. I especially appreciate the compassion that he showed to me and my family when we suffered a tragic loss. He was truly one of a kind, and his memory will indeed be a blessing.

So hard to know what to say.  Marshall's presence at the daily minyan and on shabbos has long been missed.  His care with the torah reading has never been matched.  His soft spoken nature sometimes hid his strength of character and his keen intellect.  And everyone loved him.

My heartfelt condolences to Lisa and the entire Joffe family. The world lost a beautiful neshama. I was blessed to know Marshall. 

I was a research collaborator with Marshall. He had a unique skillset of patience and intelligence, and, on top of it, was kind, generous and brilliant. Always smooth the way for others even to his dying moments. He will be sorely missed but his memory will not be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace. 

Marshall, great man with kindness, compassion, and intellectual brilliance.  I am so lucky to be your student.

Marshall and I met when I was a student at Harvard and he was a post-doc.  We would often catch up at conferences. He was a deep thinker and very kind. A true mensch. This is a huge loss for the field of biostatistics and humankind.  May his memory be a blessing. 

Marshall was one of those people that was on a different level. He was in this world physically , but his greatness didn’t come from the physical acts we all attribute to “being great”. He had  a superhuman spiritual strength joined with immense humbleness and compassion. Despite all his physical suffering , he only wanted to be as close to HaShem as he possibly could through his Torah study and dedicated all his time to that. When you were in the room
With him you truly felt in the presence of a tzaddik. When I  visited him, he never thought of himself even though he was in incredible pain and suffering most of the time, instead he asked how my family was  doing and feeling. He didn’t complain or let his physical health bring him down once. This strength, emunah, and dedication and true acceptance of HaShems plan for him  is what made him a true gibbur in my eyes and the eyes of everyone that knew him. I and my family will truly miss him . 

We got to see Marshall everyday almost for two weeks plus while at Margaret Teitz.  Lisa was so devoted to him.  Though we didn’t know him well he made a lasting impression.   May the family not know from any more sorrow 

Debie and Stu

Gentle,  kind, reverent and firm.   Memories from Am Hatorah Congregation in the 1980s and 1990s.

I knew Marshall in college. He was one of the sweetest, most considerate people I’ve ever met.  There aren’t too many people with whom I lost touch in the past 30+ years whose funerals I would attend, but Marshall’s is one.  I am so very sorry to hear this news. 

I have so many memories of Marshall- his fine qualities, his quiet devotion and professionalism, and more. I sat next to him in shul for years and his every act made an impression. To this day, my kriat hatorah incorporates practices I heard from his excellent readings. We should all be comforted.

I was one of Marshall's students. He was the nicest advisor a PHD student could ask for. 

Marshall was a very special person and will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, Marshall. 

We moved into KGH just a few years ago.
As time went on we met Marshall when he was 
Able to get to Etz Chaim.

When Marshall was no longer able to come to shul, we heard more and more about what a special person he was.
Lisa’s devotion to him was amazing.
 Another indication of what an exceptional person he was was quite evident by the number of shul members who
Visited and learned with him at Margaret Teitz.

When  he attended the shul dinner honoring the Reich and Peskowitz families it was truly was a triple joy due to Marshall’s attendance.
May his neshama have an aliyah and May he be a guteh beiteh to his family and klal yisrael

I was his classmate at Harvard. I remember him as kind and brilliant 

Marshall’s intellectual gifts were so apparent and tangible that his other remarkable qualities might be overlooked. He endured and adapted to physical challenges with perseverance, equanimity and dignity, displaying an incredible resilience. Marshall was kind to his core, humble and virtuous, more than a mensch but a tzadik  in every way.   BDE

Marshall was an incredible, exceptional, person. Marshall always did his best and did not degrade others. 

OBITUARY

Marshall Joffe a"h

March 27, 1962 – October 5, 2021

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels

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