Mary Abbotson trained in music at Manchester and in the Arts Department at Dartington. Her experience in higher education included work with students from Malaysia and with British students.

Their early retirement to North Yorkshire offered the Abbotsons the chance to establish a music therapy centre served by a self-contained mobile unit. This they designed to incorporate some electronic musical instruments invented at the University of York. From the experience gained, a research project, 'Expanding the Boundaries of Music Therapy', was formed with colleagues from the Department of Electronics at the University of York.

Throughout all these years Mary sustained her love of painting through attending evening classes and holiday courses. Life now offers more time for her painting and Mary has held several exhibitions of her work. With her husbands help Mary sells original paintings mostly in watercolour and acrylics, together with prints to raise funds for music therapy.