Obituary of Mary Ann Randall

Mary Ann Randall took her rightful place among the great humanitarians when she died on June 7, 2022 at Folkestone Retirement Community. Mary Ann was born on August 14, 1929 in Northfield, Minnesota to Mary (Coughlin) Hunt and Vincent Hunt. She graduated from Little Falls High School in 1947; it was there she met the love of her life, Charles Virnig Randall. Mary Ann earned a Bachelor's degree in English from St Benedict College in 1951 and married Charles on a classic, bitterly cold Minnesota day in December. Together they started a family and she began a lifelong devotion to teaching English. She was an inspired teacher who loved reading Shakespeare aloud to her students and launched many on a path of excellence in literature and writing. Mary Ann had a keen intellect that knew no bounds. She was a voracious reader, taxing the content of the entire metro library system. She was a dedicated cross-worder, bridge player and social activist. Mary Ann's brilliance was bested only by her humanity. In addition to her own six children, she served as mother, mentor, motivator for extended family and friends. We will all feel the loss of her laughter, generosity and zest for life. Mary Ann is survived by her brothers, Vincent Robert Hunt (Mary Kay), William Hunt (Margaret, deceased) and James Hunt and her sister, Kathleen Hunt (Bill Surasky, deceased). She is also survived by her children, Colleen (Jeff Friedman), Brigid (Jerry Raskin, deceased), Maura (Greg Kutcher) and Brian (Mary Kemen), as well as daughters-in-law, Laurie and Cathleen. She took great joy in eight beloved grandchildren and three cherished great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, sisters Jane McGovern (Mervin Bukoskey, deceased and Richard McGovern, deceased) and Elizabeth (Robert LaBrosse, deceased) and sons, Michael and Brendan. Mary Ann was a proud member of the Irish diaspora. An Irish proverb says, "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal". Together we will heal the heartache, cherish the loving memories and share a toast in her honor every St. Patrick's Day. Per her request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be directed to Second Harvest Heartland.