Marilyn Flynn

Marilyn Fritz Flynn, 85, died peacefully at home on September 26th, 2026. Born in Canandaigua on March 27th, 1941 to Homer Elmer Fritz and Alice June Carriel, Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who kept her Flynn Road home a warm and welcoming reprieve for over 60 years. She took joy in hosting numerous Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthdays, graduation parties, anniversary celebrations, and gatherings of children and grandchildren. True to her superlative, “Zany”, Marilyn was full of laughter, fun, and an everlasting sparkle in her eye. Known for her infectious energy and love of life, a colleague of hers had once quipped, “You put Marilyn on a treadmill, she could power the world.”

Marilyn maintained a keen memory throughout her life of childhood events with family and friends. She enjoyed retelling those stories which brought a smile to her face. Marilyn was of the generation in the Village of Penn Yan that walked to school, starting with Kindergarten at the former Hutton Street School on up to Penn Yan Academy, Class of 1959.

On March 31st, 1962, Marilyn married the love her life, Patrick H. Flynn, at St. Michael’s Church in Penn Yan where they shared a lifelong active faith with each other and their family. Married for nearly 64 years, they made a home that was filled with homemade meals, laughter, and Syracuse and Yankee games on the television. Together they raised four children: Brian Flynn of Dresden, NY: Shawn (John) Schmitt of Union Springs, NY: Patrick (Kari) Flynn, Jr. of Corning, NY: and Leah (Jeff) Gallant of Dedham, MA. Marilyn spent over 30 years as a library clerk for Penn Yan Public Library, a job that she cherished being among one of her most favorite things, books.

Marilyn and Pat’s legacy lives on in their beloved grandchildren. She was a proud grandmother to Justin (Marissa) Flynn, Carriel (Mark) Van Erden, Brianna (Carl) Arce, Jacob Schmitt, Noah (Bridget) Flynn, and Caroline Gallant and the abundant joy that was given by her great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Bennett Flynn. She is also survived by her sister, Kathy (Ron) Bulman of Penn Yan, brother, Ron (Phyllis) Fritz of Honeoye Falls and sister-in-law Margaret Calder of Penn Yan and many nieces and nephews that lived close by in their youth. Aside from her parents, she is pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Patrick H. Flynn, her brother-in-law, Donald Flynn, sister-in-law, Nancy Flynn, and brother-in-law, Robert Calder.

Marilyn will be remembered for her easy laughter, love of life, her Christmas cut-out cookies, self-deprecating humor, and never-ending energy. We are at peace knowing that she has gone home to the loving arms of God and to be with her forever sweetheart, Pat. Marilyn and her sense of humor and zest of life will live on within the treasured family she raised. As she would say, “Cheers, my dears.”

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 3-5 pm at Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. Michael’s Church, 312 Liberty St. Penn Yan, NY. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery.