Partner Alla Nazimova and Emily Woodruff, buried together with Woodruff
Queer Places:
Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA 31907, Stati Uniti
Glesca Catherine Marshall (September 19, 1906 – August 21, 1987)
was an actress and theatrical benefactor who was known primarily as the
most enduring lover of
Alla Nazimova, silent screen actress and a legend of her time. Glesca
met Nazimova when both were cast in a production at the Civic Repertory
Theater.
Glesca later lived with Nazimova at the Garden of Allah Hotel on Sunset Boulevard near the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. In the silent film era, the hotel had been an estate that was Nazimova's home. Glesca lived there with in a villa on the grounds until Nazimova's death in 1945.
The photo of Glesca Marshall on Nazimova's farm in California was given by Marshall to her friend Mimi Gentry in 1983. Ms Gentry sent it with these words: "Glesca meant the world to me. What makes me a little sad is in 1983, when she gave me this photo, she told me she was Nazimova's "god daughter". I actually wrote it on the back of the photo. I guess I was young then, and the world wasn't ready to know their beautiful story. I wish I had known then, and could have heard about their love. Now, I can just guess about it."
Glesca was also the longtime companion of Emily Woodruff, theatrical benefactor and main patron of the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia. Emily was married to Hume Cronyn, though they never lived together and Emily insisted the marriage remain a secret. Marshall and Woodruff are buried together at Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia. They are buried side by side, proudly in the wealthy family's cemetery plot. Glesca died first, so Emily must have made certain that her Glesca was buried with her.
References:
 Days of Love: Celebrating LGBT History One Story at a Time Paperback – January 29, 2026 by Elisa Rolle |
Other references:
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