Marilyn Jane Mischen

Marilyn was born in Indianapolis, IN to Donald A. and Cecelia Jane (Riley) McConnell. Marilyn was proud of her Irish-Scottish heritage, having been descended from people who arrived on the Mayflower, and of the fact that her parents played significant roles in the early development of US aviation and x-ray technology during and after WWII. She passed on her love of family and the importance of heritage to all her children.

She was in the first graduating class of Burges HS in El Paso, and later volunteered to work at Ft. Bliss Army base during the Vietnam Era to help with the shortage of personnel. She carried with her her parents' innovative spirit and strength and displayed her own knack for organization and precise attention to detail. She garnered the respect and admiration of her coworkers and superiors, including the highest-ranking officers in the US Army, receiving multiple awards and the title of Honorary Battalion Commander for the First Training Battalion. As she progressed in her career, which included a foray into starting her own toy store and culminated with her retirement from working in administration for Ysleta ISD, she continued to display her strength of character and superb work ethic, thus continuing to gain recognition in each of her respective career paths. She also enjoyed participating in various civic activities, and was a member of the Ysleta chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

She met her husband of 57 years, William “Bill” Frederick Mischen Jr., and grew their family. They merged families into one and added to it. Marilyn loved all 7 of her children with a passion, proud and supportive of each in all their endeavors as they grew and expanded the family even more: Michael (wife Cindy), April (husband Don), William III, Trina (husband Jeremy), Cheryl, Donald (wife Tisha), Daniel (husband Todd) all of whom claim to be her favorite child, as well as 18 grandchildren and 16 (and counting) great-grandchildren. During the early years of their marriage, she and Bill traveled with their children to over 30 contiguous states, ensuring they got the opportunity to see and experience life beyond the confines of their hometown. She and Bill made friends wherever they went, and she reveled in, but sometimes had to curb, Bill’s loquaciousness.

Having already been an excellent cook, Marilyn learned the traditional recipes of her Eastern European mother-in-law. She, in turn, taught several of her granddaughters the skills needed to cook dishes such as haluski (potato dumplings), golabki (cabbage rolls) and pierogi, again instilling in them pride of heritage and family.

After retirement, Marilyn again called upon her strength to carry her and Bill through bouts with cancer, which curtailed their plans to travel. But they continued to enjoy life, moving from El Paso to Livingston TX, where they resided for 11 years before moving to Meadowlakes 3.5 years ago. They adopted their last ‘child’, Squirt, a puppy Marilyn found unclaimed and wandering in a WalMart parking lot fourteen years ago. Using her knowledge and past experience training German Shepherds, Marilyn trained Squirt to be a certified service dog, used to calm anxiety brought on by high blood pressure. As Bill often said, “she could do anything!”

Marilyn is preceded in death by her beloved parents (Donald and Cecelia), her brother Donald, and her equally beloved in-laws (William Sr. and Mary). She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry on her legacy of kindness and love, pride in family and heritage, and indomitable spirit.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Marble Falls, TX on October 14, 2023 at 1:00. A link to a live viewing of the service will be available for those unable to attend in person (https://www.standrewmarblefalls.com).

Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.