Mary Ellen was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Her family moved to Montana when her father was transferred as a section foreman on the Great Northern Railroad. She attended local schools, graduating from Whitefish High School in 1949. Mary Ellen has been an activist as president and district president of the Woman's Club, an international service organization. She has been involved in politics since fourth grade and was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1982 and served five terms on the powerful finance committee and chair of the long-range planning subcommittee. She was selected "Woman of the Year" and has received various other honors as well. She currently lives in Valley Springs, California on an acre and a half on the Calaveras River.
