Marilyn Jacobs

Marilyn Jacobs was born on November 27th, 1932 to Max and Bessie Hellman, Jewish immigrants from what was formerly Russia and now known as the countries of Belarus and Lithuania. Marilyn was among the first generation of Americans born to the family that settled in the Bronx, New York. Marilyn’s childhood memories revolve around an extended family that lived throughout the various city boroughs of New York and Long Island.

Marilyn graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School. In the days before air conditioning, people would oftentimes sit outside of their apartment building and chat with neighbors. This is how Marilyn met her husband, William (Bill) Jacobs. A neighbor named Lillie encouraged Marilyn to write to her son, Bill. Marilyn and Bill started a correspondence that gradually led to a traditional courtship. Bill asked Marilyn’s father Max for permission to marry his daughter. Marilyn and Bill were married on December 21, 1952 in the Bronx.

Marilyn and Bill lived in North Carolina for two years while Bill served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. During this time Marilyn introduced her widower father Max to Bill’s widowed mother Lillie. Lillie and Max drove from New York to visit their children in Fayetteville. They eventually fell in love on these long drives and became a couple, marrying in 1956. Alan Jacobs was born in May 1954 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Miami, Florida where Bill worked for Florida Power and Light. Bruce Jacobs was born in April 1958. After Bruce was born, Marilyn and Bill moved into the house where they raised their family and she resided for over 60 years.

Marilyn held various jobs throughout her life including driving a nursery school bus, serving as executive assistant to the President of South Florida AFL-CIO and as a labor liaison for the United Way. A community volunteer, Marilyn was recognized by several organizations for assisting mentally challenged adults, first responders, labor unions and children of immigrant families. Marilyn actively campaigned for and had close affiliations with many South Florida politicians such U.S. Senator Claude Pepper, U.S. Representative Dante Fascell and U.S Attorney General Janet Reno.

Marilyn enjoyed being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved dining at Joe’s Stone Crabs or bringing in Frankie's Pizza to share with the family. For a mid-day snack, Arbetter's Hotdogs was a favorite. Marilyn lost her husband Bill in June of 1995. Marilyn is survived by her sons and their families: Alan and his wife Michele (Shelly) are parents to Jason, Rachel who is married to Michael, Sarah who is married to David and their children Jacob (named in tribute to Bill’s nickname Jake) and Ben. Bruce and his wife Teresa are parents to Joshua who is married to Emily, twins Lisa and Max (named in tribute to Marilyn’s father) and Chase William (named in honor of Bill). Marilyn was extremely proud of her family. Despite her recent health challenges, Marilyn used technology to video-chat with her family throughout Florida, New York, Texas and California. She enjoyed being at home with visits from family and friends.