Marilyn Caplin

1936 - 2022

Marilyn Caplin
September 5, 1936 - March 8, 2022
Coral Gables, Florida - Marilyn Lee Dingfelder Caplin passed away after a multi-year, courageous and dignified battle with cancer. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Len Caplin, Marilyn was born in Brooklyn and as a child moved with her family to an apple orchard in Romney (WV), and subsequently lived in Bradenton, Orlando, and Dallas, before settling in Miami.
While illness may have influenced her life in recent years, it could not succeed in defining this extraordinary woman. Rather, Marilyn stayed true to her focus on family and faith. To Marilyn, the value of family was beyond price and she treasured the connections made by her four children (Rick, Lauren, Todd, and Jay), their spouses (Dianne, Jim, Angela, and Deidre), and in her words, seven "extraordinary grandkids" (Rachel, Brett, Jarred, Erin, Jett, Casey, and Bailey). As a long-time member of Temple Beth Am, Bet Breira and later, Temple Judea, Marilyn's deep Judaic faith, the notion of tzedakah, and the importance of education and tradition all held a special place in her heart throughout her entire life.
The irony of her passing on International Women's Day is not lost on her family and friends, as she was a fierce champion of women's issues. Marilyn's lifetime pursuit of education resulted in her attending undergraduate and graduate programs as an adult while raising a family, which in turn led to a 20-plus year career as a marriage and family therapist. She attended Melton School graduate and postgraduate classes, was the past President of Brandeis University National Women's Committee South-Dade Chapter, member of Bet Breira's Inter-faith Committee, a religious school teacher, and served on various boards at her synagogues.
While Covid could have derailed her connection to family and faith, her beloved "bossy" nature demanded that the family continue to gather for religious holidays, birthdays, and Sundays at her house. Marilyn will be missed, but her love, legacy and teachings will live on forever. She passed as she lived, surrounded by family and love.
Services will be held at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel at Mt. Nebo (5900 SW 77 Ave.) at 2:30 pm Friday, March 11.