Kristen Thuerk Prior, a 39-year-old mother, wife and marketing executive from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly on September 17, 2026, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her published obituary details a life shaped by family, swimming, friendships and a long career with New Balance.
This article covers what is confirmed about Kristen Prior’s death, family, early life, career, education and funeral arrangements. It also explains what remains undisclosed, including the cause of death and other personal details that are not stated in the official obituary.
Background: Who Was Kristen Prior?
Kristen Thuerk Prior was born on May 17, 1987, at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. She was the daughter of Karen (Cooney) and Judson Thuerk and spent her childhood in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Her obituary describes a childhood filled with neighborhood activities, family summers and swimming. She later attended Cheshire High School, where she was part of an undefeated school swim team, before continuing her education at Bentley University.
After college, Prior built a career in marketing and spent 12 years working for New Balance. She ultimately became head of marketing for the company’s North America Direct-to-Consumer division.
Her family was a major part of her later life. She married Matthew Prior on September 8, 2018, and the couple had two children, Judson and Hadley, according to the family obituary.
Confirmed: Kristen Prior was 39, was born May 17, 1987, died September 17, 2026, and lived in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Her obituary was published by Chesmore Funeral Home.
Latest Update
The Chesmore Funeral Home obituary states that Prior died unexpectedly on September 17, 2026, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It does not disclose a cause of death.
Family and friends are scheduled to gather for visitation on Friday, September 25, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home in Hopkinton. Her funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at 10 a.m. at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton.
The obituary says interment will take place privately at a later date. It also states that donations in her memory may be made to the Prior Family Memorial Fund at Unibank for Savings.
Cause of death: Kristen Prior’s obituary describes her passing as unexpected but does not state what caused her death. No specific illness, accident or other cause has been confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Kristen Prior grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut, where she lived in the same Southpond Circle home throughout her childhood. Her obituary recalls neighborhood bike rides, backyard games and summers spent with her family at Paradise Country Club.
Swimming became an important part of her early life. She worked as a lifeguard at Copper Valley Country Club and later competed as a swimmer at Cheshire High School and Bentley University.
Career Path
After graduating from Bentley University, Prior began her professional career at Epsilon as an account manager. She later joined New Balance, where she worked for 12 years.
Her career at New Balance progressed to a senior marketing leadership position. The published obituary identifies her final role as head of marketing for the North America Direct-to-Consumer division.
Age
Kristen Prior was 39 years old when she died on September 17, 2026. She was born May 17, 1987, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Religion
Kristen Prior’s specific religious affiliation is not stated in the published obituary. Her funeral service is scheduled to take place at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton, but that information alone does not establish a personal religious affiliation.
Spouse/Partner
Kristen Prior was married to Matthew Prior. According to her obituary, they met at a wedding and married on September 8, 2018.
The couple built their family in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and had two children, Judson and Hadley.
Net Worth
No reliable public source reviewed for this obituary provides a verified figure for Kristen Prior’s net worth. Her senior marketing position at New Balance does not provide enough information to calculate personal wealth.
No speculative net-worth estimate is therefore included.
Parents
Kristen Prior was the daughter of Karen (Cooney) and Judson Thuerk of Hopkinton. Her obituary identifies both parents among the family members she leaves behind.
Height
Kristen Prior’s height is not provided in the published obituary or funeral-home information reviewed.
Education
Prior attended Cheshire High School in Connecticut and later Bentley University. She graduated from Bentley University in 2009 with a degree in marketing.
While at Bentley, she competed on the university swim team and became a multi-event champion. The obituary also notes that she held a swimming record for a period of time.
Hometown/State of Origin
Kristen Prior was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and spent her childhood in Cheshire, Connecticut. She later established her family life in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Her obituary therefore connects her early life with Connecticut and her adult family life with Massachusetts.
Official Social Media
No official social-media account for Kristen Prior has been identified or confirmed by her family or funeral home. Several online accounts use the same name, so linking an unverified profile could incorrectly identify another person.
No social-media account is therefore presented as official.
Quick Table
| Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kristen Thuerk Prior |
| Born | May 17, 1987 |
| Birthplace | Bridgeport Hospital, Connecticut |
| Died | September 17, 2026 |
| Age | 39 |
| Childhood home | Cheshire, Connecticut |
| Residence | Hopkinton, Massachusetts |
| Spouse | Matthew Prior |
| Children | Judson and Hadley |
| Education | Cheshire High School; Bentley University |
| Degree | Marketing, Bentley University, 2009 |
| Career | Marketing; New Balance |
| Final reported New Balance role | Head of Marketing, North America Direct-to-Consumer Division |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed in the published obituary |
| Visitation | September 25, 2026, 3 p.m.–7 p.m. |
| Funeral service | September 26, 2026, 10 a.m., Faith Community Church, Hopkinton |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who was Kristen Prior?
Kristen Thuerk Prior was a Massachusetts-based marketing executive, wife and mother who died unexpectedly at age 39. She spent 12 years working at New Balance and rose to head of marketing for its North America Direct-to-Consumer division.
When did Kristen Prior die?
Kristen Prior died on September 17, 2026, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She was 39 years old.
What was Kristen Prior’s cause of death?
The published obituary does not disclose Kristen Prior’s cause of death. Her passing is described as unexpected, but no specific medical or other cause has been confirmed publicly.
Who was Kristen Prior’s husband?
Kristen Prior was married to Matthew Prior. They married on September 8, 2018, after meeting at a wedding.
Did Kristen Prior have children?
Yes. Kristen and Matthew Prior had two children, Judson and Hadley. The obituary lists them as six and five years old, respectively, at the time of her death.
Where did Kristen Prior grow up?
Kristen Prior grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut. Her obituary says she spent her entire childhood in the same house on Southpond Circle.
Where did Kristen Prior go to college?
She attended Bentley University and graduated in 2009 with a degree in marketing. She was also a member of the university swim team.
Where is Kristen Prior’s funeral?
Kristen Prior’s funeral service is scheduled for September 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Visitation is scheduled for September 25 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home in Hopkinton.
What company did Kristen Prior work for?
Kristen Prior worked for New Balance for 12 years after beginning her career at Epsilon. Her obituary says she ultimately became head of marketing for New Balance’s North America Direct-to-Consumer division.
Was Kristen Prior a swimmer?
Yes. Prior competed in swimming at Cheshire High School and Bentley University. Her obituary says she was part of Cheshire High School’s undefeated swim team and later became a multi-event champion at Bentley.
Wrap-Up
Kristen Thuerk Prior’s obituary records the death of a 39-year-old wife, mother and marketing professional whose life connected Connecticut and Massachusetts. She grew up in Cheshire, attended Bentley University, built a 12-year career at New Balance and established her family in Hopkinton.
Her family remembers her through the relationships she built with her husband, children, parents, sister, in-laws, nieces, nephews and many friends. The obituary also highlights her lifelong love of swimming and her enthusiasm for family trips, holidays, friendships and everyday experiences.
As of September 25, 2026, her death is confirmed, while the cause of death remains undisclosed in the published obituary. Family and friends are scheduled to gather for visitation today, followed by her funeral service on September 26.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the published obituary from Chesmore Funeral Home and reporting from the Hopkinton Independent, reviewed on September 25, 2026. Details not contained in those sources, including a cause of death, net worth, height and an official social-media account, have not been presented as fact. Funeral arrangements and other details may change, so readers should rely on the family or funeral home for subsequent official updates.
