Mary was born in Jamaica. She was educated and professionally trained there as a geologist. She worked with the Jamaican Geological Survey and later, oil companies in Dallas, Texas. In her varied career she has also been a schoolteacher in the Bahamas and a stay-at-home mom. She started McLaughlin Glazeware in 1996, making high end gifts of enamel and bone china for prestigious clients including Lyric Opera, Abbott, the White House, and Brooks Brothers. In 2008, Mary founded Trees That Feed Foundation, with the mission of planting trees to feed people, create jobs and benefit the environment. Planting fruit trees “kills two birds with one stone.” More like three birds. A fruit tree feeds people, creates jobs, and benefits the environment as well.