Marilyn was born on October 21, 1947. She grew up in Clifton, NJ, where the foundation of who she was, warm, vivacious, fun and loving, began. She attended both University of Miami and Fairleigh Dickinson University before getting married to Barry Kirsch. They raised their children in Whippany, NJ and then North Caldwell, NJ, before she moved to embrace the sunshine in South Carolina and then Florida, where she spent her later years. She absolutely loved living by the beach with her loving daughter Jordana, son-in-law Ryan and their children and enjoyed spending so much of her time with her partner Bob Jones. Even from Florida, Marilyn made sure distance never dimmed her connections, staying close with family and friends from “up north”, because keeping those bonds alive mattered deeply to her.

To know Marilyn was to love her. Her smile was the kind that lit up a room. She was unforgettable to anyone lucky enough to be on the receiving end of it. She had a gift for people, drawing friends and strangers alike into her orbit. She was always the cool mom, the one whose door was always open, whose house was often full, and whose presence made everything feel like a celebration.

Marilyn made the holidays magical and always fun and lively. Not just through the wonderful meals she prepared (she was a great cook!) but through the care and intention she poured into every gathering, milestone or event. She never missed a birthday! Always the first to call, the first to make a fuss and the first to make her kids and grandkids feel celebrated.

She had an eye for style and a love of all things sparkly, and carried herself in a way that was entirely her own. She and Bob loved the sunshine, spending time at the pool, the beach and listening to live music.

If Marilyn had a proudest accomplishment, it was the family she loved so much. Her greatest joy lived in the faces of her children and grandchildren, in their laughter, their milestones, and moments they shared together.

Marilyn is survived by her partner, Bob Jones, her daughter Tiffanie Hiibner (Marc Lincewicz) granddaughter Ivy; her son Mason Kirsch (Stephanie) grandson Zachary and granddaughter Abigail; her daughter Jordana Kerstetter (Ryan) granddaughter Kenzington and grandson Kyler; her sister Carol Steinberg (Mike) and and their children Todd Steinberg, Jamie Lillis and their families. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Hy and Mildred Fingrel.

Marilyn leaves behind a family who adored her, friends who will miss her light, and a legacy built on love, laughter, and showing up for the people who mattered most.

Marilyn’s family will honor her the way she wanted - surrounded by the people she loved. The family will gather in her memory across many small, personal celebrations, each one a reflection of the joy and love she brought to their lives.

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