Marla Danielle Jenkins Tsai

Jenkins Tsai, Marla Danielle, 54, of Dallas, Texas passed away February 19, 2024, surrounded by family and friends after courageously fighting multiple myeloma for eighteen months. On July 17, 1969, days before the historic moon landing, Danielle, a 6^th generation Texan, was born in Tyler, Texas to the late Larry Gene and the late Shonda Caudle Jenkins. Danielle attended primary and secondary schools in Garland, Texas before pursuing and graduating from Austin College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Business Administration and French. 

While at Austin College, she was a member of the Delta Phi Nu sorority, making life-long friends with sorority sisters, Sarah Stock Mills and Elizabeth (Beth) Conner Jee. The three bonded and were truly soul sisters. Beth took Danielle to a Halloween party where she met the love of her life, Eugene Tsai, and they were married on October 25, 2003.

Danielle and Eugene welcomed their only child, Jacob Frost, in 2008. She loved Eugene and Jacob fiercely and commonly referred to them as “the boys”. Danielle was their constant champion and protector.

Professionally, Danielle spent many years working in the compliance areas of financial institutions, including fourteen years at Benchmark Mortgage until her death. The family would like to thank Benchmark Mortgage for their unwavering support over the years, especially during Danielle’s illness.

As a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Dallas, Texas, she served in many roles including Elder and Clerk of Session. She was a devout Christian receiving the sacrament of baptism as a young teen. Danielle declared her intent to participate actively and responsibly in the church's worship and mission.

In addition to her parents, Danielle was preceded in death by her grandparents: Coy (Jeannie) Jenkins, Ann (Vaughn) Paul, and Jerome “Red” and Burnace Caudle. 

Besides her husband and son, she is survived by her father-in-law Wen Shiong Tsai and mother-in-law Miao Chen Tsai; her sister-in-law Jean Tsai; her brother-in-law Jeff (Jessica) Tsai and their children, Jennifer and Jonathan; as well as, her aunt, Marsha (Terry) Caudle Ernst.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8200 Devonshire Lane, Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas and will be greatly appreciated. Danielle supported and advocated for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and encouraged everyone eligible to register as a donor.