Mary Withall studied Biological Sciences at Reading University and proceeded to spend thirty five years in Secondary and Further Education, lecturing in Natural Sciences, Nutrition and Health subjects. In 1988 she retired to the Island of Easdale in Argyll where she became interested in local history, assisted with the operation of the Easdale Island Folk Museum and in 2000 became a founder member and archivist of the Scottish Slate Islands Heritage Trust. She is married with four sons and eight grandchildren.