Laurel "Toodie" Yvonne Secora

Laurel Yvonne Secora, 86, passed away due to a short battle with cancer on November 28, 2018 at her home in Great Falls. A memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at 1:00 p.m. Cremation will follow the service and a private burial will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Fairfield in the spring. Laurel was born in Great Falls on December 21, 1931 to Clark and Rose (Pfeifle) Speck. She graduated from Great Falls High in 1948. She married Raymond (Don) Secora and lived in the Fairfield area most of her adult life, recently moving to Great Falls. Mom worked at the Labor Temple in Great Falls for several years before becoming a full time housewife, mom and animal tender on the family farm near Fairfield. She always said she kept her girlish figure by chasing Grandpas cows and pigs out of Harry Freeman’s fields. Every summer when school got out she’d pack up the kids and head to whatever small Montana town dad was working road construction in. She loved to entertain and hosted many dinners for the members of dad’s crew while they were “on the road”. Those co-workers and their families grew to be lifelong friends. Mom could hear a song once and play it on the piano or keyboard by ear. She would often entertain at area nursing and senior living facilities. Mom loved to decorate and every place she lived felt like home once her finishing touches were added. She also loved to sing, dance and visit and enjoyed spending time with her family and attending events with the kids and grandkids. Laurel was preceded in death by her parents; husband Don; brother Roy (Sonny) Speck and sons Steve and Randy. Laurel is survived by her children Rick (Pam) of Maryland, Terry (Sherry) of Fairfield, Sheryl (Jim) Carr of Great Falls, Shanna (Mike) Chism of Sun River; grandchildren Rachel, Megan, Kimberly, Lee, Branden and Chayse; great-grandchildren Bryn, Jack, Dominic and Corbin; sister Lois (John) Ressler and sister-in-law Thelma Speck as well as a large extended family and many wonderful friends. Memorials in Laurel’s name are suggested to local organizations benefiting children such as GFPD Shop with a Cop at GFPPA.org; Simms Rugby Program, PO Box 56, Simms, MT 59477, or your local school’s overdue lunch program or clothing closet.