Marilyn Frances Nappen

Marilyn Frances Nappen (Tolin) 83, passed peacefully into spirit on December 29, 2025, surrounded by her daughters Donna Nappen Kimmel, Lauren Nappen and Audrey Nappen.

Born to Lillian Eckell Tolin and William Tolin on May 26, 1942, in Philadelphia, PA., Marilyn lived an extraordinarily full life as daughter, sister, wife, mother, mentor and friend. This beautiful 2005 photo of Marilyn shows the essence of her pure joyful soul.

As someone who loved and appreciated life, she nurtured and became 'Jewish Mom' to everyone she met, including all her dogs as family pets and beloved companions. Being with family, sharing time, showing up and always offering help, especially through volunteering, was extremely important to her. She gave unconditionally, making even the smallest achievement a celebration – she sought to make everyone she met feel special.

While her circle was small, she inspired all of us to dance whether at an event or in the family room, to live with positive resilience by continuing to get back up one more time, and to surround ourselves with beauty from fashion to gardening. She would take the mundane and make it festive and joyful – from hors d'oeuvres on the lawn with various puppies to a cup of tea with a little bit of something near bedtime. She had her treat stash hidden throughout the house!

Her Judaic life and faith were extremely important to her, ensuring that she always found ways to pass on that commitment to her children. No matter the stage of life, she was part of a synagogue (Temple Beth Or, originally in Spring House, PA., Temple Judea in Doylestown, PA., Temple Beth El in Providence, RI). In the early days of family and marriage (the late Barnett Nappen), and before they were able to join a synagogue, she and a few other moms founded a neighborhood religious school, called Masoret. At the age of 59, she chose to be a B'nai Mitzvah for a second time alongside her daughter Donna (at the age of 39) at Temple Shalom, February 2002, in Dallas, TX.

Although diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her mid-thirties, she always approached life with a 'best foot forward' attitude – she was resilient, strong, spunky and vibrant – she truly loved life and experienced it to the fullest!

She is survived by her daughters Donna Nappen Kimmel, the late Michael Kimmel and partner Bill Simmelink, Dr. Lauren Nappen, the late Peter Drugatz, Audrey Nappen, her sister Sandra Tolin Schwartz (the late David Schwartz), and sisters-in-law Madeline Hankin Nappen (the late Robert Nappen) and Sheila Nappen, and a pack of four legged grand puppies (Oliver, Margot, Parker and Jackson).

Relatives and friends are invited to funeral services on Friday, January 2, 2026 at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors Suburban North, 310 2nd Street Pike, Southampton PA 18966. Interment will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Trevose, PA. For those unable to travel, a livestream link will be available here. For the livestream link for the cemetery, please click here.

Donations in her honor:

In Honor of her life and her memory, we offer the following organizations that could benefit from your support:

Sturdy Health Foundation, to the "Multiple Sclerosis Clinic" Please note "In memory of Marilyn Nappen".
Temple Beth El, Providence, RI., to the "Securing our Future" Campaign online. Please note "In memory of Marilyn Nappen".
St. Luke's University Health System to "The Dr. Michael E. Kimmel Endowment Fund" online or mailed to St. Luke's Hospital Development Office, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Please note "In memory of Marilyn Nappen".

Marilyn will be greatly missed by all, for her humor and friendship, and for her loving care in all the ways she shared it.