Mary Ellen was born in Bonner Ferry, Idaho. Her family moved to Montana when her father, a section Foreman on the Great Northern Railroad, was transferred. She attended local schools and graduated from Whitefish High School. She completed a series of courses and worked as a Real Estate Appraiser before her election to the Montana House of Representatives in 1982. She served five terms on the power Appropriations Committee and chair of the Long-range Planning Subcommittee. Appointed to the Western Regional Economic Council, as the Montana Representative. Charged with economic development and regional oversight, the member were Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Alberta, Canada. Mary Ellen also served on the Montana drug and alcohol abuse council. She served as chair, four years on the Montana Vo-tech school board. Asked to chair the United Way of the county, she raised the most substantial amount ever donated. She was selected “Woman of the Year” for Flathead County and received other honors and awards. Mary Ellen currently lives on an acre and a half on the Calaveras River in California.