Mary Elizabeth was born in Ventura, California to James and Ruth Eckman. After completion of high school Mary went to Nurses Training where she obtained her RN. Mary worked as a surgical nurse in several medical facilities in the Los Angeles area until she met and married John Secor. In 1970 they moved their family to Montana. Mary continued to work in surgery at St. John's Hospital and then St. Peter's Hospital until she retired.Mary loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and tole painting. You name it, she did it. Her love of ceramics led to Carousel Ceramics which she owned with her friend Danna Lamping. The shop closed after many years, but Mary continued her ceramics business from home as Cottage Crafts.Summers were spent at the baseball fields watching grandson Andy play Babe Ruth baseball and then tending to the large garden she planted every year. Mary and John also had a menagerie of rescued dogs and cats that kept them busy for many years.Sadly, John passed away in 2018. Mary was fiercely independent and lived at home for as long as she possibly could. She moved to Touchmark in 2020. She enjoyed not having to cook and listening to guests sing and play the piano.Mary is survived by her daughter Cathy (Brandt) Salo, grandson Andrew (Danielle) Salo, and great granddaughter Madison Elizabeth Salo. The family would like to extend their thanks to the Garnet Care Staff at Touchmark, St. Peter's Palliative Care and Hospice teams for guiding Mary on her journey.No service will be held at this time. Memorials can be made to Pads for Paws Foundation, PO Box 287, Helena, MT 59624.