Randy was my stepmom.  Mostly, a bonus mom. Through the years, almost 30, the things she taught me the most…

1. Be passionate about the things you love. 

2. Unconditional love ( we weren’t easy, but she loved us, regardless  

3. Scream and cheer whenever you get the chance.  It will matter to someone. 

4, your people are the most important. Love them, root for them and be there for them. No matter what 

She loved my dad more than anything. She loved watching Frankie and all of her other grandchildren do whatever they might be doing. She was really just a bundle of pure joy and she will be missed more than words.  

From the moment Nick and I moved into our first house, Randy graced our lives with her warmth, kindness, and boundless botanical wisdom.

We moved to Classen in the summer of 2021, excited and admittedly a bit nervous about being new homeowners. At some point during our move, Bob and Randy made the short trek across our lawn, wine bottle in tow, to say howdy and welcome us to the neighborhood. We warmed up to each other instantly and Nick and I knew we had been blessed with incredible neighbors.

Randy was quick to share her extensive knowledge of the neighborhood, our house, and of all things green. She had an uncanny ability to identify every plant and tree in our yard. Her enthusiasm for gardening was contagious and her generosity was inspiring. Every so often, Randy would bring me baby "pups" I could plant in our very bare front yard. The plants from her (that I did manage to keep alive) are a lovely reminder of her kindness.

Gardening never came easily to me, but pulling out pesky weeds was something I could do and over time, Randy and I bonded over our mutual love of weeding our lawns. She fondly recalled a cherished birthday present she received from her family one year: a personalized weeding bucket. I learned it was the little things that brought her joy. She even inspired me to invest in a good weeding tool and bench, two items that bring me immense joy to this day.

But it wasn't just her horticultural knowledge that made her so special; it was her genuine friendship that touched us. We could always rely on her to recommend the best dentist, plumber, or hardware store. She was our guide to this neighborhood and really took us under her wing. Bob and Randy both knew the best local spots for Tex-Mex, Asian food, burgers, and much more and would treat us to dining experiences that brought all of us closer together.

One evening, on our way back home from a lovely dinner at El Vecino's, we drove around the streets of Old Lake Highlands as she painted vivid pictures of the community she grew up in, pointing out landmarks that held treasured memories for her. It was evident through every story she told, how much pride she had for her childhood neighborhood and Nick and I felt privileged—this place she called home was now also our home.

As the seasons passed, Randy's presence became an integral part of our lives. We looked forward to her friendly waves and smiles from her garden and our lively front-yard conversations. 

It's truly difficult for us to put into words just how much she meant to us and how deeply she impacted our lives in the relatively short time we knew her.

Thank you, Randy, for showing us what being a good neighbor truly means. Every time we look at your beautiful garden next door, we're reminded of you. Your graciousness, wisdom, and friendship has made a mark on our hearts forever.

From Kenny Heidenreich: 

A memory I will never forget is Randy and Bob driving a u-haul full of items to put into our new home. I always imagined Randy and Bob driving through Dallas and then Denver navigating traffic in that big truck. The sweetest person in a big truck in a city full of crazy drivers! But Randy and Bob could do it! It always brings a smile to my face thinking about that time.

When they arrived, Randy and Kate spent some time deciding where everything should go. Then Randy just took charge, directing me and my friends who were carrying everything in, telling us the best places to put everything. She just knew what needed to be done and we needed that so much. She helped start us off successfully in our new house and I will always have her to thank for that. 

My memories of Randy aren’t math related, although I always knew she was the “go-to” when numbers were just too hard. I also don’t have many paint related memories, but she did come to my rescue 2 years ago when color choices were making me dizzy. I was trying unsuccessfully to pick out colors for our new home in Coppell. My daughter Meghan told me to call Randy, and she and Bob came to my rescue. She made it all seem so easy and even wrote instructions for the painters!

My memories of Randy are small everyday things that add up to beautiful moments: phone calls, text messages, shared books, shopping, sports, gardening, music, flowers, Wordle, and so much more. I introduced Randy and Bob to Wordle and that made me so happy. Her 1st guess was “BIOME,” that made me laugh! Only Randy would think of “BIOME.”

This past March during spring break, Randy, Julie, and I took one of our “sister trips” to South Padre. (We were the oldest ones on the plane!) Complete with matching, monogrammed bathrobes, we laughed, enjoyed our time on the beach, and had the best time going out to dinner. We’d toast to “all good things” and more trips to come.

We would have never guessed in a million years that that would be our last one. I’m thankful for that time, but wish we had so much more. I think of Randy’s beautiful smile and how much we laughed together. I can hear her now!

The last time I talked to Randy was the day she died. She called me because she was laughing about a science fair project she had helped me with in the 8th grade. It was on fruit flies. She was laughing so hard I know she was crying! I can hear her now! Randy was beautiful, confident, smart, enthusiastic, and she loved her family.

The bond of sisterhood is unlike any other. Randy’s absence feels like a giant hole, but I know that someday I’ll see her again. I love you, Sis! 

           I remember when Aunt Randy would stay over at Gregy's house. She stayed upstairs with us in the room with the two twin beds. There was a brown and yellow pull-out couch on the opposite wall that she always slept on. I remember everything about that room. It was small, but there were two giant dressers flanking each bed. One had a big mirror, the other had a very old television. It was the kind with antennas sticking out the top and no remote, so you had to sit on the bed a foot away to change the channel. I remember watching golf and college basketball with Aunt Randy and constantly running upstairs to check scores.

      Then there were memories of eating breakfast at the kitchen table. In my mind everyone ate halved grapefruits with sections of the Dallas Morning News everywhere. I craved checking scores in the sports section and talking to Randy about them. Her energy and enthusiasm for sports and activities was infectious and I cherish those memories.

      As a small aside, I did not correctly know what a Murphy bed was for the longest time, and I know I have incorrectly used the term to mean, "a pull-out couch". I was pretty young, but I knew Randy's married name was Murphy, and she always slept on that pull-out upstairs, so I associate the two things. Hearing that phrase brings a smile and evokes memories of the best days.

Aunt Randy loved big and I admired that about her so much! When I think of her, I think about how much she just loved her Frankie and Lili. I’d love to hear her share updates on everyone when we were together.

One memory I will never ever forget is when my husband Kenny and I moved into our house in Victor, Idaho. We were hoping to bring up some things from Texas. At the time, life was extra busy and it wasn’t going to happen for my parents to make it out. Aunt Randy and Uncle Bob volunteered to make the trip: a two-day drive in a U-Haul! 

With a U-Haul loaded up, they made the trek from Dallas to Victor, Idaho, over big mountain passes that still make me nervous…I will never forget seeing that U-Haul come from up the road, thinking about what a journey that must have been for them to head up the pass and over mountains.

When they arrived, Aunt Randy brought the enthusiasm and joy I needed! I remember her walking around the house, and it was like her excitement made it become our official home. They were the first to see it in person and celebrate with us. Aunt Randy helped me decide where furniture should go, what needed what, and the final step: Placing a Bev Doolittle painting, “Prayer For The Wild Things” with hidden wildlife depicted in it, on the mantle. Next to the mantle, we hung a framed image that coincides with the painting that they gifted us. On that trip, we all went out to her favorite restaurant there Teton Thai, explored Grand Teton National Park, and spent a few days enjoying the beautiful fall weather together. I will always think of Aunt Randy sitting outside at Grand Teton Brewing having a beer, soaking up the surroundings, and her wonderful smile.

My second fondest memory began a few years later when our baby boy Nathan Heidenreich was born on August 2! Aunt Randy was THE person to help you celebrate any milestone or big moment, and she did so with the most genuine excitement. When Nate came, she lovingly called him “our boy” and somehow remembered his monthly birthdays each and every month. She’d text me, many times when I almost forgot, and say, “Happy six months to our boy!” 

Like many others, Luke and I were fortunate enough to have Randy and Bob’s assistance in painting our new house. Aunt Randy was the very first one to arrive to our house that morning with her best painting equipment and radio in hand. Her radio played only the finest country music tunes which reminded me of some of my most favorite childhood memories. During that day, Randy made even the most daunting task of painting, enjoyable. 

Though I have only known Aunt Randy for five years, it seems that I’ve known her for a lifetime. I’m very grateful to have met such a kind and passionate woman like Randy. 

Aunt Randy was a very devoted sports fan. Whether it be Ohio State, Tulsa, the Braves, or the Rangers, she was always cheering her teams on win or lose! 

Many of my memories with Randy were on the baseball field as she and Bob attended every one of my summer games that they could make it to. It was always easy to tell where she was sitting because of her vocal support with each pitch (that’s the Neubach way). It was such a blessing to have her support on and off the field.

Randy was a wonderful aunt and she will be greatly missed.