Mary Ella (Cochran) Leist, 77, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Ottawa Pavilion.

Mary was born on May 24th, 1945 in Olney IL. 

Mary graduated from East Richland High School. In her senior year, Mary was chosen along with 4 others to accept a position to work as a secretary at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. From that position, Mary advanced to Administrative Assistant for the Commission on White House Fellows during  President Nixon's term.  Mary then relocated to Los Angeles, California and accepted a position as Vice President for Gene Autry's KTLA Channel 5 television studio. Mary finished her career in Los Angeles working with attorneys in the entertainment industry before retiring and returning to Illinois.

Mary is survived by her son, Sean (Stephanie) Cochran of Orlando, Fl.; her daughter, Michelle (Ronnie) Bland of Warrenton, Virginia, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; her siblings, Rick Cochran of West Salem, IL, Conita Hubble of Grayville, IL, Paula (Dennis) Corbin of Ottawa, IL and Sandy (Mark) Ahlfield of West Salem, IL. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Jones, Paul Osborn and Bob Cochran and two sisters, Diane Vado and Wonita Harris.

Mary loved to travel, especially to Paris. She loved her yearly vacations with family and friends, traveling down the coast to Mexico.  She loved fashion and interior design and her beloved dogs, Maddie and Mollie.  Mary loved life and lived it to the fullest. 

A celebration of life will be held in Los Angeles at a later date.

Any donations may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or National Kidney Foundation.

Ottawa Funeral Home, Ottawa, IL