in Detroit, Michigan to parents, Albert and Ida Seneker.
She has two younger brothers, Steve and Carl. They moved to Anaheim, California when Mary was quite young. She graduated from Anaheim High School and went on to get a degree in Sociology from Pasadena College. She worked as a social worker for the Los Angeles probation department but soon realized that teaching was more her forte. She then went to California State University Sacramento and obtained a Master’s Degree as a Learning Disabilities Specialist. She became a professor at East Los Angeles Community College as a Learning Disabilities Specialist and settled in Long Beach, CA.
Mary enjoyed traveling, singing and worshiping God. She was very involved in the start-up of Seventh Street Church which was so close to her home that she could walk. Mary never married and God was able to use her independence to serve in many ministries over the years. She had a heart for women and children at risk.