Obituary for Mary Mecom (Bechik)
Of Plymouth, MN and a lifelong resident of Minnesota passed away on January 10. Born in 1942 in St. Paul, MN to Anna and Joseph Bechik, she graduated from Monroe High School, the Anker School of Nursing and the University of St. Francis (BSN).
In 1973 Mary began working at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital as the Assistant Director of Nursing. She started working there the day it opened. Later, she became the Physicans Services Liaison for the hospital before retiring in 2009.
In addition to her civilian career, Mary was a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard (MANG), and the first woman in the MANG to be promoted to the rank of Colonel. She served as Chief Nurse of the 133rd Tactical Hospital and the MANG State Chief of Nursing. In 2021 she was inducted into the Minnesota Air National Guard Flight of Honor for significant contributions to the Minnesota Air National Guard.
She married John Mecom in 1989 and the couple lived in Plymouth, MN. Mary was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral and a life member of St. Mary’s Choir and a member of the Women’s Club.
Mary is survived by her husband John, stepson Jonathan, sisters Janet Machyowsky and Alice Woog (Jim Ebner); Nephews Paul Machyowsky (Samira) and Nicholas Woog (Julia); Nieces Christina Machyowsky and Mary Herzak (Michael); and 4 grandnieces and 3 grandnephews.
Funeral service at ST. MARY’S ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (17th Ave. NE & 5th St., Mpls.) Monday, January 17 at 11 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Children’s Minnesota and St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral.
In 1973 Mary began working at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital as the Assistant Director of Nursing. She started working there the day it opened. Later, she became the Physicans Services Liaison for the hospital before retiring in 2009.
In addition to her civilian career, Mary was a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard (MANG), and the first woman in the MANG to be promoted to the rank of Colonel. She served as Chief Nurse of the 133rd Tactical Hospital and the MANG State Chief of Nursing. In 2021 she was inducted into the Minnesota Air National Guard Flight of Honor for significant contributions to the Minnesota Air National Guard.
She married John Mecom in 1989 and the couple lived in Plymouth, MN. Mary was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral and a life member of St. Mary’s Choir and a member of the Women’s Club.
Mary is survived by her husband John, stepson Jonathan, sisters Janet Machyowsky and Alice Woog (Jim Ebner); Nephews Paul Machyowsky (Samira) and Nicholas Woog (Julia); Nieces Christina Machyowsky and Mary Herzak (Michael); and 4 grandnieces and 3 grandnephews.
Funeral service at ST. MARY’S ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (17th Ave. NE & 5th St., Mpls.) Monday, January 17 at 11 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Children’s Minnesota and St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral.