Mary Lee Tecca

Mary Lee Tecca, 79, of Livingston passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021, at Billings Hospital with her daughter, Rosemary and John Tecca, Sr. by her side. Mary was born October 12, 1942, in Pueblo, Colorado to Leroy and Laverne Davis. Mary's father was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Forces which provided Mary the opportunity to travel to many different cities and states at an early age. One of those travels lead her to Roswell, New Mexico during the infamous UFO crash of 1947. Eventually Mary's parents settled back in Livingston, MT.Mary spent many summers traveling to her grandparent's home in Texas, where she learned the traditional methods of sewing, cooking and farming. She was fascinated by family genealogy, science and nature. Mary had a great love for all animals, especially dogs and horses. Mary was an accomplished cook and baker. She created extravagant treats during the Christmas holiday season and did so with passion and enthusiasm. She loved special occasions and birthdays. Mary will be remembered for her fabulous cooking and baking the most elaborate birthday cakes for each one of her children, all centered around a specific theme. These remain the most special memories and traditions of family birthday parties and holidays.Mary wore many hats in her professional life as she was a Candy Striper-Nurse, Postal Worker and Cake Decorator at the family grocery store.In her early adult years, following the death of her first husband, Mary purchased a small ranch in Paradise valley where she loved and enjoyed the art of ranching. It was then that she met her second husband, John Tecca, Sr. Mary met John while selling her fresh farm eggs to him at his grocery store. Mary and John were married in 1964 and together they raised six children in Livingston, MT. Mary developed a passion for traveling at an early age. Together, she and John traveled the world. Among the most memorable for her were trips to Paris, Acapulco, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Hawaii. These were always special times because it was just the two of them, traveling the world.Mary also talked fondly of following her father around rock hounding for agates and petrified wood amongst many other artifacts. She was an accomplished hunter and back country cook. She was an excellent shot and has many trophies to show for it. She thrived in the out of doors and greatly enjoyed camping with her family. Among the many other holidays that Mary enjoyed was the Fourth of July. For many years, she and her family participated in the annual fireworks display at the Fourth of July Rodeo. She loved enlisting her children to help with the annual business Crazy Days celebrations going on around Livingston. She enjoyed sewing the costumes for each of her children for any and all events. She was instrumental in creating the most amazing floats for the annual parades in support of their family grocery business. Mary and John divorced in 1980. Mary went on to attend Montana State University for a short period of time before moving to Tempe and Mesa, Arizona where she attended Arizona State University. Mary loved visiting her children and parents in Livingston during the summers. She left Arizona to return to Livingston in 2007 to care for her mother, Laverne, until her mother's passing in 2017. Mary and her mother had a very special bond. Together they enjoyed many family functions and loved to travel. They had fond memories of Yellowstone and the two were known for "getting into a lot of mischief." In past years, and as Mary faced many health challenges, she spent much of her time with her daughter, Rosemary and her family in South Dakota. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy Davis in 1993, and Mary Laverne (Benson) Davis in 2017. She has gone on to join them, leaving behind a great family legacy, and she will be greatly missed by all of her family. Mary is survived by her children; Lee (Amanda) Tecca, John (Linda), Tecca, Tony (Jane) Tecca, Rosemary (Bart) Mack, Joe (Jeanette) Tecca and Cindy Tecca; her brother, Bob (Marlys) Davis; nephew,s Nathan (Amanda) Davis and Troy Davis; 14 grandchildren, Kristen Tecca (Jace), JT Tecca (Jasmine) , Bridger Tecca, Logan Tecca, Casey (Cameron) Hughes, Alexis (Brady) Norman, Kylie (Henry) Mack, McKenzie Mack, Isabella Mack, Landan Mack, Payton (Brandi) Tecca, Cena Tecca, Claree Tecca and Jenny Tecca; and 12 great-grandchildren, Brenden Dahms, Wyatt Willyard, Knox Hertzog, Mason Tecca, Samantha Mack, Bennett Norman, Amelia Norman, Lucy Tecca, Ronan Tecca, Eden Colvin, Chancey Tecca and Makardi Tecca. Mary enjoyed giving back to the community by making donations to the Military, the Holiday Tree Lights Program, and was a member of the Park County Senior Center. In lieu of gifts, the family would like you to carry on her involvement in our community foundations.Visitation for Mary will be Friday, November 26, from 4-6pm, at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial in honor of Mary will be held Saturday, 11:00am, November 27, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Livingston, Montana. Burial at Mountain View Cemetery will immediately follow the service, after which all are invited to a luncheon back at St. Mary's in the school gym. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.