NORTHAMPTON – Marilyn Joan Tirpak, 89, passed away peacefully at her Sacandaga Lake home on Thursday, February 5, 2026, surrounded by her four children.

            Marilyn lived in the Town of Durham for many years, and was very active in her community.  She served on the town board, was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the East Durham Volunteer Fire Company and the Durham Valley American Legion, organized the ski program and swimming lessons with the summer recreation program for many years.  At Halloween, Marilyn and her family built “Hatchet Valley” to scare the hundreds of visitors who came.  All the youth in the Durham community were important to her.  She worked as a teacher’s assistant in the Durham Elementary School, and in later years, drove to Albany and worked at the New York State Education Department for many years.

            Marilyn is survived by her children, Joan Tirpak, Susan (Sonny) Shufelt, Stephen (Karen) Tirpak, and Laura Tirpak; grandchildren, Jennie Shufelt, Keith (Nicole) Shufelt, Kayla (Trevor) Lefrancois, and Kelly Tirpak; great-grandchildren, Logan, Jack and Reagan Shufelt, Natalea, Harrison, Trevor Jr. and Benjamin Lefrancois; step-siblings, Jeffrey Bittenbender and Norma Jean Greiner; many nieces and nephews.  Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Stephen Tirpak on February 2, 2011; her parents, Edna Haas and Alfred Bittenbender; her siblings, Phyllis Faber, Douglas Bittenbender, Karen and Elaine Haas.

            Calling hours will be Tuesday, February 10th from 3 to 7 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville, with words of remembrance at 6:30 p.m.  Spring burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Northampton Volunteer Ambulance, 112 South Second Street, Northville, NY 12134.  Condolences may be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.