She was born in New York City in 1928 and received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1959. She was a research associate with Bank Street College, assisted the Council on Social Work Education, trained with the U.S. Public Health Service, and lectured at New York University. She moved to Chapel Hill in 1967.

She received a doctorate in sociology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1974. She taught courses in sociology, social work and anthropology at UNC-Wilmington until retiring in 1995.

A memorial service is planned.

Survivors include two sons, Michael Polgar of Kingston, Pa., and Chris Polgar of Carrboro; and three grand-daughters.

Memorial donations may be directed to the United Jewish Communities women's philanthropy (www.ujc.org/).