Marilyn Joann (Jacobs) Kirkland, 73, of the Tuscarora Nation, entered peacefully into heaven with her loving family by her side, at her home, on Thursday, August 20, 2015. Enrolled Upper Cayuga of Six Nations, she was born and raised on the Tuscarora Reservation, the daughter of the late Ellwood and Ellen (Patterson) Jacobs.

Marilyn attended local schools. She was a certified baker for the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District until retiring in 2005 and was well loved by all the teachers and staff members there. Marilyn was highlighted/featured in a Niagara Gazette Niagara Profile article for being wonderfully active in her community as both Founder and President of the Tuscarora Teen Group - Caring and Preserving our Youth; Tuscarora PTA, Niagara Orleans BOCES, a union representative, and den mother. She was also a recipient of the Good Neighbor Award presented by Tops Markets and WHLD radio. Marilyn was well known for her kindness and laughter as well as her beautiful Tuscarora raised beadwork, setting up at Indian Picnics, donating several handmade pieces, and sharing her wealth of knowledge with others.

Marilyn is survived by four beautiful children Penny (Gary) Henning, Ronald (Cindy) Mt.Pleasant, Nancy Mt.Pleasant-Tiedemann, and Michael (Jaime) Kirkland; (Shawna Kirkland), dearest grandmother of 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; six loving sisters and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers and three sisters.

Visitation will be on Friday from 7-9 pm at the M.J.COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, August 22nd at 11:00 am at Tuscarora Baptist Church, 2088 Mt. Hope Rd., Sanborn, NY with Rev. Walter Printup officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment in Mt. Hope Cemetery.