Mary Carolyn Haimbaugh Secrist, aged 87, was the beloved wife of Don Secrist and daughter of Omer Haimbaugh and Violet Haimbaugh. Mary was born at her Grandmother’s home on November 24, 1936 in Rochester, Indiana. She was called home by God Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Orlando Regional Medical Center after undergoing heart surgery.

Mary grew up in Villa Park, Illinois where she attended York High School until graduated in 1954 at the age of 17. She then attended the University of Illinois majoring in home economics. During her first year, she met Don Secrist, a Physics and Math Major, and former Marine and Methodist Pastor. They quickly married and had two children, Douglas Secrist and Catherine Secrist (Zwink) and moved to Baltimore Maryland, where she was a homemaker.

The family then moved to Long Beach, Anaheim and Huntington Beach California, Barrington Illinois, and then on to Columbus, Ohio In 1965. While In Columbus, she worked for North American (Rockwell) before attending The Ohio State University, majoring in nursing. She graduated in 1979 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She tenderly cared for many newborn babies at Children’s Hospital of Columbus, Ohio. She then completed a Master of Nursing Degree at The Ohio State University, graduating in 1986. Mary enjoyed teaching nursing classes at Columbus Technical College, and then worked as a case manager after moving to Huntington Beach, California. She and Don lived in California from 1986 until 2021. Mary and Don then moved to Clermont, Florida to be closer to family, and to enjoy all Florida has to offer.

Mary and her devoted husband of 68 years, Donald Glen Secrist, are known for their loving dedication and devotion to each other. They are of a generation that deeply believed in and understood the love of God and Country and family. She is survived by Don, as well as son Doug Secrist, and daughter Catherine Secrist Zwink. She is also survived by loving siblings Richard Haimbaugh, Jane Haimbaugh Price, Kurt Haimbaugh, Dave Haimbaugh, and Kay Haimbaugh Tudor. Mary has 5 Grandchildren: Daron Zwink, Brandon Zwink, Dave Secrist, Kim Secrist, and Chandra Zwink Giddings; and 7 Great Grandchildren. Being with her family brought Mary immense joy.

Mary was always kind, gentle, classy and beloved by everyone who met her or was lucky enough to be in the same room with her. She loved to laugh, play piano and accordion, and was an avid tole painter and seamstress. She was also a devoted college football fan, always rooting for Ohio State and any of her children or grandchildren’s alma maters. Mary had a great sense of adventure and loved traveling across the country, around her home state, and abroad. In 2005 Mary and Don participated in a trip to Israel with 107 ministers where they visited nearly every major biblical site.

Her smile was constant and she lit up every room she entered. She will be greatly missed by her family on earth until we are reunited in Heaven. 

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