Mary Elizabeth Rhodes was born in Casper, Wyoming on September 11, 1923 to Elizabeth Harte Doherty and James J. Doherty, Irish immigrants, and passed away on July 6, 2015. She graduated from Natrona County High School then attended the University of Wyoming, Washington University in St. Louis and Sheridan College. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was the eldest of five siblings.