Marion R. "Randy" Hughes, formerly of Mission Hills, KS died peacefully at her home in Smithville, MO on June 16, 2017, surrounded by family, pets and caregivers; all asleep. Her granddaughter, Lauren, said she had "asserted her independence one last time" by waiting to be alone. Randy was born July 3, 1923 in Glen Ridge, NJ to Constance E. (Spooler) and Harry A. Peterson. The family eventually moved to Pittsburgh, PA where she graduated from Langley High School. From there, she went to Bethany College in Bethany, WV, which was a decidedly bad fit for her. Eventually she found her way to the University of Chicago, a stroke of luck which not only provided her an incredible education, but also an incredible husband. She met and married a handsome student and part-time meteorology instructor named Lawrence A. Hughes in 1951. Their marriage survived until his death in 2008. The couple shared a love of education, art, animals, the outdoors and beautiful things. They always credited their successes to the quality of education they gained from the University, and loved living in Chicago until a job transfer brought the family to Kansas City in 1963. Randy was extremely civic-minded, and involved herself in numerous charities and causes. She fought the use of DDT in the 1960s and ran for city council at a time when her opponent argued she "should be home with her children". She was a proud, card-carrying member of the National Organization for Women and the American Civil Liberties Union. She made hundreds of donations to charities throughout the years and offered her help in any capacity needed; she once even paid to fix the air conditioner at a sanctuary for injured wildlife. Randy and Larry both loved animals, and raccoons and opossums were frequent outdoor visitors to their home, encouraged no doubt by piles of cookies and dog food left outside for them every evening. The couple also never met a cat they didn't like, and rescued more than we can remember. Randy was a Cub Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader for many years, sharing her love of the outdoors with many city kids. She loved to camp and also to canoe, and the family spent countless weekends canoeing the Ozark National Scenic Riverways system in "Tippecanoe", the family canoe. In the 1970s she started work as a travel agent, which began an even more wonderful chapter of her life. Visiting over 50 countries in 6 years, it sometimes seemed she was out of the country more than she was home. She brought back fascinating stories and mementos, and also fabulous photos--when she could remember to remove the lens cap from her camera. She gained a traveling buddy when Larry retired in 1979, and they visited over 60 more countries. They also began to collect American Indian art, and then primitive art from Africa and New Guinea, and antique pattern glass. They relished the beautiful things they found and the friends they met. After she retired, Randy began gardening more seriously, and most days found her outside puttering, covered in dirt. After Larry died, she decided to move to Smithville to be closer to her daughter. Some of her favorite plants moved with her, and the rest were shared with her gardening friends. Randy's love of nature and the outdoors continued to the end of her life. Each morning while eating breakfast she enjoyed watching the birds on multiple feeders, and she spent many afternoons outside on her deck enjoying nature and her animals. She is survived by her brother, Harry A. Peterson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; daughter, Barbara (Frank) Henderson of Smithville, MO; son, Steven (Anita) Hughes of North Little Rock, AR; granddaughters, Amy Hughes of North Little Rock, AR and Lauren Hughes of Washington, D.C.; a niece and two nephews. Also surviving are her beloved cats, Tipper and Morrie, and the light of her life for her last year, her little rescue dog Newbie. The last several years Randy was lovingly cared for at home by a group of wonderful caregivers--Audrey, Cristal, deAnne, Diane, Donna, Joy, LeeAnn, Lynnette, Riva, Snowma, Stephanie 1, Stephanie 2, and Susanna, who all treated her as if she were their own mother and also shared their families and pets with her. They became a treasured extended family. A celebration of life was held at her home with family, caregivers and pets. Burial in Riverside Cemetery, Shelton, CT.

Published in Kansas City Star on June 3, 2018