Obituary of Marilyn Gerken

Marilyn Gerken, age 87, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025 after a long illness. 

Marilyn was a teacher. She graduated from SUNY Cortland’s teacher education program and spent 30 years teaching second grade at Mills Pond Elementary School and then St. James Elementary School both in the Smithtown School District on Long Island.

Marilyn loved the sun. She spent summer vacations at the beach or sitting around the pool tanning. She was famously tan until the very end. She also enjoyed travelling with her husband of 56 years the late Robert Gerken.

She was born in Rockville Centre, New York on February 3, 1938, the daughter of the late Albert and Dorothy (Bakewell) King.

Marilyn lived in Kings Park, NY before retiring to North Myrtle Beach, SC. She moved to Collegeville PA in 2021 to be closer to family. During her time in Collegeville, she was cared for by the wonderful staff at Columbia Cottage and near the end of her life by Gentiva Hospice.

She is survived by her son, Timothy Gerken (Lawrence Chua) of Syracuse, NY and daughter, Sue (Bill) Farrell of Perkiomenville, PA.  She is also survived by her niece, Cynthia Kieber-King and great-nephew Justin Kieber-King . 

Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard B. King and nephew Geoffrey B. King. 

A celebration of her life will be held during summer vacation. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a gift to SUNY Cortland in memory of Marilyn (King) Gerken.