Marvelyn Ann Randall (Muskwinski) – December 5, 2024

Life Tribute for Marvelyn Ann Randall (Muskwinski)
Born May 27, 1947 – Passed December 5, 2024

“If it is meant to be, it is up to me.”

Marvie passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024. Marvie was born to Marvelyn and Steve Muskwinski on May 27, 1947, at Glockner Hospital which later became Glockner Penrose. Marvie was their only child and the love and light of their lives; a gift to them. Her family homesteaded in 1863, and she was a fourth generation native of the area.

She attended Buena Vista Elementary, West Junior High, and graduated from Palmer High School in 1965. She went on to attend college at Southern Colorado State College, now known as CSU Pueblo. She attended school on a music scholarship and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Social Studies and minoring in Education. Marvie taught at Katharine Lee Bates for 30 years in the same room teaching third grade for most of her career. Marvie received many awards in her career highlighting her exemplary teaching including the Crystal Apple Award in 1999 for Excellence in Teaching. She was a Majority member of Jobs Daughters Bethel #23.

As a child and through her youth, she enjoyed time with her family at Tarryall in their family cabin. In her school days Marvie was active in all musical activities from playing the French horn, violin, piano, guitar, and flute to participating in choir, band, and orchestra. She was an avid sports fan, born into a sports family. She was a lifelong fan of the Yankees, was a Broncos season ticket holder, and loved all Colorado sports and sports in general.

Marvie met the love of her life, Rick, at a Metric System workshop in 1974 and he measured up! He was wearing a shirt and tie to a summer workshop, and she learned he was always dressed up. They could always be found wearing matching outfits and it quickly became one of their trademarks. Even in the summer months and away from work, they dressed up and alike and created special moments together, like using their fine China dishes at least once a month.

Rick and Marvie quickly knew they were head over heels in love. They clicked. Marvie had made fried chicken for a JCs picnic, and she passed the test. Rick purchased Marvie’s engagement ring at Isaach Brothers Jewelry and proposed to her right there in the JC Penney parking lot. They were married on December 27, 1975, and celebrated 45 years of marriage
together. Rick was a gentleman and treated Marvie like a queen. They truly had a one-of-a-kind love. Their birthdays were only one day apart; his was on May 26th and hers on May 27th. She introduced him to travel and sports, he introduced her to woodworking. They loved to travel and cruise. Their trip to the Rosebowl parade was their favorite trip.

In 2012 Rick suffered an accident. Marvie was his greatest champion, cheerleader, and caregiver. She never left his side, ultimately spending an equivalent of more than 336 days at his bedside during all of his many hospitalizations. She cared for him through his long road of recovery. She taught him to drive, to walk, and to overcome many hurdles to be whole again. She was also her mom’s caregiver at this time too. She was honored and humbled to take care of them both.

Marvie started volunteering at Penrose Community Hospital in 2000. She was a very dedicated and committed volunteer, having served in excess of 25,000 hours. She and Rick designed and opened the St Francis Medical Center gift shop in 2008. Marvie was active in the Colorado Hospitals Auxilians & Volunteers (CHAV), holding state level leadership positions. Marvie continued her volunteer service after Rick passed and was instrumental in the gift shop’s success and held a critically important seat on the Patient Experience Committee to improve the patient experience and to share the voice of the patient to staff and caregivers.

Marvie was bright, brilliant, giving, caring, loving, generous, impactful, a true friend, and always paid it forward. She was a wonderful daughter, friend, wife, teacher, and volunteer. She was always dedicated and committed. She taught many generations of local Colorado Springs families. She was honored to have touched the lives of so many children and it brought her such joy when so many came back to visit her and remembered her and what she had taught. She enjoyed crafts, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and oil painting. She loved to cook and throughout her life, family and friends mattered. She was a charter member of Palmer High School Alumni.

Marvie was a fountain of historical knowledge and stories of old Colorado Springs. Her great grandfather was one of the first patients at the old St. Francis Hospital, he was injured in the infamous boxing ring collapse.

Marvie was baptized at Trinity Methodist Church, the same as her grandfather. She later joined First United Methodist Church on Nevada Avenue. She was active in church and a member of the Nightingale Circle and United Women in Faith.

Marvie is preceded in death by Rick (Richard) Lee Randall, Steve and Marvelyn (Gillespie) Muskwinski, and infant daughter Stephannie Ann.

Wherever she is, she wants to leave it a better place because she was there. Marvie is at peace being together with the love of her life and being reunited in eternity.

“Remember me with smiles and laughter for that is the way I will remember you. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marvie’s name to Penrose-St. Francis Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Service and inurnment at Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum in the Alcove of Resurrection.