Mary was born in England and at the age of five was adopted by an Irish family.She began her dancing career in Birmingham England at the early age of five years old.Mary competed at the highest level of dance during the 1950’s and attained many awards for dance and Irish Language.

She immigrated to Canada in 1964. When she was asked to dance for a fund raising event in St. Catharines Ontario she was approached by Irish families to teach their children Irish Dance in St. Catharines Ontario. Classes began in 1968 and continued until 2002 when she retired from teaching dancing. Mary worked in the field of nursing until 1985 then she changed careers and obtained a degree in Social Work. Although retired from teaching dance, she continues to work in a Child Protection Agency.

Mary became an Adjudicator for Irish Dancing in 1976 and has been privileged to have adjudicated all over Canada and the USA as well as England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand.
Although Mary is English and acquired her Irish roots through adoption, she has made her adopted culture her own. She says that she has loved being part of the lives of hundreds of children and their families that were active in her classes. “And the beat goes on” thanks to her niece Kelly Taylor-McNeil TCRG.

Best wishes to all who organized, planned and participate in Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2009, a truly
historic event in Irish dancing in North America.