Monday, November 20, 2023 | 10:30 AM
Mary O'Neill Secord passed away on August 22 with her loving father and sister-in-law by her side. Born March 27, 1979, to James P. and D'Arcy O'Neill Secord, Mary joined her big family adding so much enthusiasm and joy as the spirited youngest. An athlete all through her childhood and high school years, Mary excelled at gymnastics, swimming, competitive figure skating, skiing, diving and really anything else she tried. Her "Mary Lou Retton" haircut, bounce in her step and witty little grin are remembered with smiles. Mary was very smart; it was no surprise to anyone when she spread her wings at Case Western Reserve; picking a school in Cleveland made her mother very proud. As a young adult, Mary loved music and had an unmatched knowledge for the top 40 as much as the old classics. She could sit and converse with just about anyone in the most relaxed and comfortable fashion. Even when visiting siblings and their friends, she could hang out with the older kids like she was one of them; she was just so cool. In her adulthood, Mary brought tremendous joy to her family, especially her nieces and nephews who loved the way she could crack a joke or say the one thing everyone was thinking at a family gathering; all of us need the witty Aunt. Jewelry making and sketching nurtured her creative spirit and brought happiness when she gave them as gifts. After an accident left her paraplegic in 2011, the world weighed especially heavy on sweet Mary and finally after many courageous years, her body gave out so that her soul could be reunited with her mother, who was her biggest fan as well as her grandparents: Mary and Bill Secord, and Dorothy and Dennis O'Neill. Left to cherish her beautiful memory are her father, Jim Secord and his wife Teresa; sister Megan Milligan and husband Mike and their children Flynn, Roan, and Liam; brother Paul and his wife Deborah and their children Alex and Patrick; brother Billy and his wife Hanna and their children Maryam, Megan, and Mackenzie; and brother Danh and wife Jenny and their children Christina, Jennifer, Kyle, An, and Hien. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors who have cared for Mary over the years, most recently at Fairview Ridges Hospital. Funeral will be held at Our Lady of Grace on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM, with a visitation at 9:30 AM, to allow for family members and friends to gather in celebration of her life.