Marilynn Collins
Born August 7, 1946 in Mount Vernon, New YorkDeparted April 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Marilynn Collins, passed away on April 20, 2024, in Melbourne, Florida, at the age of 77.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband Craig L. Collins, her devoted children Keith Collins, Meredith Palmer and Lauren Platt, her sons-in-law Timothy Palmer and Joshua Platt, and grandchildren Jordan, Mackenzie, Colin, Davis and Brooks, her brother, Herbert Keck Jr., and nephews David, Paul, Jon, Eric and Drew and niece Kiersten.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Keck, her mother, Alice Keck, her sister-in-law, Robin Keck, parents-in-law Edward and Elloise Collins and sister-in-law Sandra Littleton.
Born Marilynn Alice Keck on August 7, 1946, in Mount Vernon, New York, she grew up in Pleasantville, N.Y. She was a graduate of Pleasantville High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she received a degree in psychology in 1968.
Following graduation, Marilynn met Craig during an extended trip to Hawaii, and they married in 1969. They moved to Satellite Beach in 1972, where they raised their family.
Marilynn was an active member of the Space Coast community. She was a founding member of the Brevard Zoo following years of volunteering with the East Coast Zoological Society (ECZS) to help create a world-class community-built zoo. She handled publicity for the organization, which led to her becoming the new zoo’s marketing director after it opened in 1994. Marilynn was also known for her work with the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast, where she served as a board member and was a past president. She also volunteered with Rolling Readers, and served as an area director for the South Patrick Residents Association.
Marilynn enjoyed spending time with her family and loved being a grandmother. She was a lifelong fan of nature, and traveled to many places across the country and around the world with her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brevard Zoo, the ECZS Aquarium Project, the League of Women Voters or Rolling Readers.
A Celebration of Life to honor Marilynn’s memory will be held at the Brevard Zoo, 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne on Friday, July 19, at 5 p.m.
