Marilyn Olive Quirk

Marilyn Olive (Zeldam) Quirk, 90, of Trenton, Michigan and in the care of Rivergate for the last of almost 5 years, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026. Marilyn was born in Detroit on April 19, 1936, to Frank Zeldam and Myrtle Kennedy Zeldam and raised in Grand Rapids with a love of learning. Marilyn was predeceased by her husband of fifty years, Thomas N. Quirk, her beloved aunt, Olive Baldwin, and her brother, John Zeldam. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Susan Al-Mudarris, Edmund (Kathye) Quirk, James Quirk, and John Quirk. She is survived by 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, along with a large extended family who will continue to cherish her memory.

Marilyn graduated from Grand Rapids South High School in 1954 and later received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Wayne State University. Marilyn was a Detroit High School English teacher until her first child was born. She was a dedicated mother who actively participated in the Girl & Boy Scouts of America, as well as some of her children’s other activities. Marilyn was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Trenton and was lovingly cared for by the Rivergate Health Center’s Station 3 in her later years.

Marilyn enjoyed Irish music, quote-acrostic puzzles, crime dramas, and Detroit’s ethnic festivals and major league sports teams. Marilyn’s warmth, kindness, and intelligence will remain in her family’s hearts and minds always.

On July 5, a visitation will begin at 10 AM followed by a 1:00 pm memorial service at Martenson Funeral Home in Trenton. A celebration of life for family members will be held following the service at the Westfield Center in Trenton.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit. Condolences can be left in her guestbook on the Martenson website.