Marilyn Ann Zirk Pryor passed away at the age of ninety at Baystate Hospital, Springfield, MA on June 3, 2026. Born in Linville, VA on March 9, 1936, the daughter of the late Nolan and Thelma (Whitmire) Zirk, she grew up in a loving family in Virginia. A graduate of Madison College in Harrisonburg, VA with a BS degree in physics, biology, and chemistry, she continued her education and received her MS and PhD in zoological physiology from the University of Tennessee. Following a year of teaching at Bryn Mawr College, Marilyn came to Mount Holyoke College as a research associate in 1962. In 1964 she began her 38 years as faculty at Mount Holyoke. Beloved by her students in biology, she participated in college activities, whether it be performing in the Faculty Show, serving on the Student Affairs Committee, mentoring students in research or being a popular advisor to students interested in the Health Professions. Her administrative skills were recognized, and she Chaired the Committee on Health Professions, served two terms as Dean of Studies and on two occasions was interim Registrar.

Upon retirement from Mount Holyoke her life took an abrupt turn when she began an enjoyable 23 years assisting the internationally recognized choral composer, Alice Parker. After attending a local “SING with Alice,” Marilyn went up to speak with Alice and casually offered to help in some way; Alice invited her to organize boxes of music still unopened after her move to Hawley, MA from New York City. Marilyn had always enjoyed singing in the South Hadley Chorale and the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus as well as Berkshire Choral International, so this opportunity was the perfect way to spend her “retirement.” Organizing those boxes was just the beginning. Using her computer skills, she learned to set music, readying it for publication; she also travelled throughout the US and Canada with Alice to meetings and workshops, chaired Alice’s Melodious Accord board, helped to edit several of her books, and assisted with recording sessions held in New York City. Marilyn never actually retired from work - instead, she opened new horizons.

Marilyn leaves her dear friend and longtime housemate Kathleen Holt of South Hadley, MA, her loving sisters Flora Swain of Goose Creek, SC, Mary Beth Zirk-Perez (Ruben Perez) of Bradenton, FL. and her sister-in-law Laverne Zirk of St. Augustine, FL. She was predeceased by her brother James Scott Zirk and brother-in-law Raymond Swain. She will be greatly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members. The family will gather in VA to celebrate Marilyn’s life. At her request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Mount Holyoke College Scholarship Fund, the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus, the South Hadley Chorale or Berkshire Choral International. Those who would like to share condolences and memories are encouraged to contribute to an online memorial at https://shortifyme.co/mzpryormemories. O’Brien Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. For more information please go to funeral@obrienfamilyfh.com.