Mary-Liz grew up in south Dublin. Working in Bank of Ireland’s HR Department she transferred to their Leeds branch when she married Salfordian, Peter.
Changing careers in the 1990s Mary-Liz, qualified as a Horticulturist (RHS Wisley), Garden Designer (Reaseheath), studied Garden History at Manchester University and also set up her garden design and construction business. Appointed to the National Trust Regional Committee, she served the former Mercia and North West regions.
Appointed as a magistrate in 1997, Mary-Liz was elected Deputy Chairman at Salford Bench (2009) and Deputy Chairman of the newly merged Manchester and Salford Bench in 2012. She served as Bench Chairman from 2013-2016 and was elected the first Chairman of the new single Bench for Greater Manchester, the largest bench in England and Wales. She also represented the NW Region of the magistracy at national level.
A former member of the Advisory Committee (Recruitment), she interviewed and assessed many candidates for the magistracy.
Mary-Liz delivered regular talks and interactive presentations to primary schools as part of the key stage 2 framework for citizenship and was appointed to the Barton Moss Scrutiny & Strategy Panel (secure unit for young offenders). She participates in the delivery of the Criminal Justice Process module at Salford University’s Law with Criminology degree course as a guest justice practitioner.
In early 2025 Mary-Liz was appointed chair of Distributors and Housing Trustees for The Booth Charities having joined the board in 2023. The Distributors are responsible for grant funding to Salford organisations whose collective work enhances the lives of an extraordinary number of people across the City. The Humphrey Booth Housing Charity is a registered almshouse provider with 48 units in Salford.
Mary-Liz is chair of trustees for J T Blair, a small charity which provides grants to
volunteer groups that support older people within the 32 wards of Manchester and 20 wards of Salford.
A safeguarding representative at Salford Cathedral, Mary-Liz has responsibility for raising awareness of safeguarding aims, policies and procedures, promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults at risk. She is actively involved in the safer recruitment of some 100 volunteers to roles within the Cathedral.
Mary-Liz continues as a chorister at Salford Cathedral having joined the choir in 1995. Her younger self represented Ireland at the 1984 European Club Hockey Championships and she also played county hockey for Greater Manchester.
Commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant in 2017, Mary-Liz was honoured and privileged to be installed as the 50th High Sheriff of Greater Manchester for 2023/24.