Mary Ann was born in 1896, the daughter of Alexander Paterson and Ann MacLeod of Pol an Oir. The family moved to 15 Borve following the lotting of the croft to her father in 1900.

Mary Ann attended Berneray School for a few months in 1902 before leaving for Harris. She was re-admitted to the school on Berneray in January 1904 before later leaving for Obbe School. There Mary Ann was under the guardianship of her cousin Christina Paterson, who was married to solicitor Thomas Wilson. At the time of the 1911 census Mary Ann was visiting their household in Lochmaddy, at which time she was described as a school teacher. Mary Ann passed away of supposed consumption in 1918.