Mary Ellen McNinch

November 20, 1946 - February 11, 2025

Our mom, Mary Ellen McNinch, passed away peacefully in the early morning of February 11, 2025, in Winnemucca, Nevada.
Mary was born in Winnemucca on November 20, 1946, the second child to David Howard and Opal Ruth McNinch. Along with her older brother, David, Jr. and younger brother, John.
Mary grew up on the McNinch Ranch to the west of Winnemucca near the Humboldt River.
Ranch life involves the whole family, and Mary worked alongside her parents and siblings.
Because Mary was such a talented cook, she often served in that role when at cowboy camp with her family.
Mary attended school in Winnemucca and graduated from Humboldt High School.
She enjoyed the choir and debate team, which was perfect for her as she enjoyed interacting with people and speaking.
She had three children: Janie, Glenn and Jennifer. They also made their life at the family ranch.
In the early 70’s, Mary moved to Salt Lake City to further her education. As a member of the LDS church, she studied at Brigham Young University and in 1976, she received a degree from the College of Beauty.
Soon after she completed her studies, she returned home to Winnemucca. She worked a variety of jobs in town, including a few years as a Juvenile Probation Officer at Humboldt County’s Leighton Hall. Her favorite job, however, was property management as it was challenging, and she enjoyed the people.
In the early 90’s, Mary moved to California where she would continue her career in property management. She mostly managed rental homes and apartment communities in the Sacramento and Kelseyville areas. She worked until 2007 when she retired.
Upon retirement, she moved to Colorado where she enjoyed the outdoors and beauty of the mountains. She was a member of various organizations and an advocate for Judicial Justice.
Mary returned to Winnemucca in 2020, and she considered it a great blessing to be able to spend her final years in her beloved hometown. At her last private residence at Larios Arms, she loved to watch the sunset behind Winnemucca mountain, over the same desert landscape she grew up in.
Mary enjoyed a number of hobbies throughout her life, such as arts and crafts, cooking, and ceramics. She loved family get-togethers and celebrations.
She maintained her love of cooking throughout her life, and she was frequently asked to cater and bake for various occasions.
Even in her last years, she still entertained friends and family, who are grateful for the time they had to enjoy her company, her quick wit, and her spunky sense of humor.
She also loved to travel, and she was especially fond of her experiences on Victoria Island in British Columbia.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents Doss and Mabel McNinch, Gladys Garber, her parents Dave McNinch, Sr. and Opal McNinch and daughter Janie Heston. She is survived by her son, Glenn McCoy and daughter Jennifer McCoy, grandchildren Dustin, Lacey, Russel, John and Jett. Great grandchildren Rally, Rexen, Easton, Audrey, Everley and Hailey. Her brothers Dave (Janie) and John, nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.
She touched the lives of many people, and her family and friends will miss her dearly.
Per mom’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. She will be buried in the family plot, next to her mother, at the Winnemucca Cemetery.
A celebration of life will be scheduled for summer.
A very special thank you to Humboldt General Hospital and Harmony Manor’s doctors, nurses, support staff and kitchen staff, all dedicated professionals, who provided exceptional care for my mother during her time at both facilities.
Your professionalism, expertise, and unwavering dedication made a world of difference in my mother’s life. In her final days, she expressed how proud she was of HGH and Harmony Manor.
With sincere gratitude ~ Jennifer