Marsha McGovney

Marsha was born February 18, 1943, in Chicago, to Ramon and Gladys (Cain) Mielke, and grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. She passed away the evening of May 25, 2026, from a ruptured aorta. True to who she was, her final gift was to donate her organs so that someone else might have a better life. Marsha graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Dietetics. She and Ralph met on a blind date, and their wonderful life together grew from there. He proposed on Valentine's Day, 1965, and they were married in June 1966. Marsha worked at MSU's dormitory food service as a dietitian for several years, helping pay for Ralph's last two years of veterinary school and while he taught at MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine for five years. They eventually moved to Florida, where Marsha put her design talents to use creating the layout of their beautiful home on the golf course and for their TLC Veterinary Hospital, which she also managed. Marsha was instrumental in establishing Tree Hut, a lucrative thrift shop whose proceeds benefited The Haven, a home dedicated to caring for abused and neglected children. She was SCUBA certified and greatly enjoyed both day and night dives. She had a deep passion for flowers and gardens. She made beautiful beaded flowers that brought the garden indoors, was a member of the Boca Raton Garden Club, and won several competitions for her floral arrangements. She loved butterflies, created a beautiful butterfly garden, and raised seven different species. Marsha loved traveling and cruising. Over the years, she and Ralph visited all U.S. states and 60 countries. Their cruises took them through the Panama Canal, the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian fjords, the Mississippi, the Columbia River, around South America, through the Mediterranean, and a transatlantic cruise from Florida. One of her lifelong dreams was fulfilled when she spent a month touring Turkey. They also went on safari in Africa, where elephants brushed against their tent one night. Marsha gave them two wonderful children, Lavelle and Scott. She was there for both of them through scouts, helping each reach the top: Lavelle earned her Gold Award and Scott earned his Eagle Scout. Marsha and Ralph retired in 2007 and moved to Colorado in 2009. She kept busy going to the gym, doing yoga, volunteering, and enjoying the various activities at the Gardens on Spring Creek. She was grateful to have lived her life in the United States. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

Marsha McGovney

February 18, 1943 - May 25, 2026