Fern Schley Randall

Fern was born March 21, 1926 in Rockville Centre, New York, the daughter of Fern Gilmore Schley and Ralph Palmer Schley. She attended Marjorie Webster Junior College in Washington, D.C. and was an editorial model at the John Robert Powers Agency, where she developed a love of fashion, a passion for shoes and an eye for a designer bargain. On June 21, 1946, she married the love of her life, Dr. Robert G. Randall. They resided in Freeport and then Garden City, Long Island, New York, where Dr. Randall was a reconstructive surgeon.

Fern raised their two children and volunteered at the Nassau Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. In 1970 Fern and Bob Randall moved to Palm City, Florida, building a home in Four Rivers which would become their (and many of their grandchildren’s) “home base” for close to five decades.

Fern loved to entertain and bring people together, in any context. She was an exceptional hostess and planner, impeccably dressed in whatever attire or costume a theme event required; but she always kept frozen cookies or custard in the fridge, just in case a friend or grandchild happened to stop by on short notice. The only thing stronger than Fern’s love of family, friends, and a good party, were the libations she served. Nearly all her recipes included bourbon, brandy or rum, be it homemade cough syrup, sweet potatoes or her legendary rum cake, the consumption of which should have required proof-of-age.

As generous as Fern was with spirits, she was equally giving with her time, which she devoted not just to her family and friends (she always kept a bag at the ready to head north if needed to help look after her grandchildren), but also to a number of community organizations and charities. Among these, Fern volunteered at and fundraised for the Second Sight Taping Studio, recording books on tape for the blind (long-before they were commonplace). Both Fern and Bob were charter members of the Crossroads Yacht Club and the Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, and were instrumental in founding the Palm City Presbyterian Church, where they were Elders.

Fern was also a loyal correspondent, her planner at hand, she never forgot a commitment, a birthday or a friend - always keeping in touch despite her often prolonged worldly travels. A resolute believer in the value of a thank you note, she regularly presented her family with personalized stationery at Christmas and/or birthdays as a tacit reminder.

Fern will be remembered, perhaps a bit differently by each of us, as a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and neighbor. Some will recall her unique combination of morals and pluck, which prompted her to pull a thief’s hand out of a stranger’s pocket on the streets of Jerusalem, or to haggle over inflated carpet prices in the markets of Istanbul. Others will remember her unmistakable laugh or her flamboyant wardrobe (comprised largely of Lily Pulitzer), both of which made her easy to find at party. Unfortunately for her husband, this exuberance also applied to his wardrobe, which included Lily, batik, various themed and special polychrome corduroy trousers for Christmas . Some will marvel at the delicate balance she somehow managed to strike between kitsch and class (e.g., serving canned corned-beef on mini ryes on the deck of their Trumpy). Her neighbors in Four Rivers will undoubtedly miss the sound of her convertible zipping by with its musical horn.

At 5 feet tall, Fern’s physique may have been petite, but her presence was larger than life. She taught us that love was not only in the little acts of kindness but in being considerate of others as well. She might wake you up at midnight and toss you in the back of the convertible for an ice cream run…. or let you order french fries or a sundae for breakfast, so long as you brought your best manners and looked presentable (she was often the sole motivation behind many men in our family getting haircuts). Indeed, she and Bob are doubtless the reason their grandchildren and great-grandchildren share the values and manners that they do (unlike their Jack Russell Terriers, Curry and Pepper, who were spoiled rotten).

Her last few years were brightened by her friend and companion, John, who stayed with her until her last moments, helping her on her quest to live life to the fullest. Fern knew how to live, how to love, how to bring people together and how to find light in the darkness: not only through perseverance but cheer and laughter in the face of adversity.

She loved Bob, God, her family and friends, her shoes, espresso, ginger, chocolate, and a good martini.

She was never underdressed or out of words.

That is how she will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, and in every raised glass; for any celebration of life is a celebration of her spirit.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dr. Robert Randall and her brother, Ralph Dale Schley.

She is survived by a ridiculous number of shoes and 3 generations of a loving family including her two children, Sherry Rowett (her husband, Dale) and Robert Randall, Jr. (his wife, Denise); four grandchildren, Christopher Haak (his wife, Kerin), Abigail Graham( her husband, Martin), Griffan Randall (her husband Bryan Clenahan) and Jordan Randall (his wife, Alicia); and four great-grandchildren, Lucy Graham, Basil Graham, Isla Haak and Kaylee Randall.

Services will be held at the Palm City Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 10th at 11:00 and can also be viewed at: http://youtu.be/YB-sC8gGxLQ.

There will be no gathering after the service, due to Covid 19 restrictions. At a later date, we hope to have a gathering to share memories and celebrate Fern’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice (1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 32997) and/or the Palm City Presbyterian Church.