Mary Jackson was born in the Lake District in England in 1943. Her parents moved the family to New Zealand for a healthier upbringing when Mary was eight years old.She had a dreadful accident when she was nine: half her scalp was ripped off when her long hair got caught in a milking machine. This experience made Mary very aware of other people’s difficulties, and deepened her faith in God.Mary studied the piano from 12 years old. Although she trained as a nurse and then as a school teacher, she eventually followed her heart and became a qualified piano teacher.Mary has visited many countries, but is now happy to stay put, in her flower- and tree-filled home in Auckland. She still teaches, but with a reduced number of pupils.