How Mary Lou Dickinson Proves It’s Never Too Late to Chase Your Dreams

What does it look like to publish your first book at 70, release six more before 90, and inspire generations with resilience, wit, and a splash of pink? Meet Mary Lou Dickinson—a writer, mentor, and advocate whose journey is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. In a world that often tells us there’s an “expiration date” on dreams, Mary Lou stands as a radiant reminder that passion has no age limit.

In this episode of Living Ageless and Bold with Christina Daves, Mary Lou shares her incredible story. Born during World War II, she grew up in a time when women were discouraged from raising their voices or pursuing careers outside of teaching, nursing, or secretarial work. Yet, through decades of challenges, detours, and personal triumphs, Mary Lou became not just a published author, but a late-blooming literary force with six books, a memoir, and a life filled with bold choices.

This episode takes you through her remarkable journey—the struggles she faced, and the lessons she offers for anyone who thinks their time to shine has passed.

Growing Up in a Gold Mining Town

Mary Lou’s childhood was anything but ordinary. Born during World War II, her earliest memory was watching her father leave to fight when she was just five years old. While her peers were raised in an era where girls were expected to choose traditional roles, Mary Lou knew early on she wanted something different.

Her family lived in a remote gold mining town in Northern Canada—a place where her father worked as a mechanical engineer designing hoists and underground systems for mining operations. The town was isolated; her mother had to fly in on bush planes before road and rail access existed. Life was rugged, but for Mary Lou, it was home.

She recalls vivid memories of seeing gold poured into bricks and even working as a teenager in a nearby assay lab, where she was trained by a French-speaking miner. By the end of one summer, she was dreaming in French. It was an unusual upbringing, but it gave her resilience, adaptability, and curiosity—qualities that would carry her through the decades to come.

Education, Defiance, and a Taste of Freedom

Despite the era’s expectations, Mary Lou pursued higher education at McGill University in Montreal. Initially placed in science because she hadn’t studied Latin, she found herself lost in physics and chemistry lectures. Unwilling to settle, she successfully lobbied to transfer into the arts program—finally getting to study Latin and pursue her true passions.

University was liberating compared to the restrictive boarding school she had attended earlier. Montreal became a gateway to culture, ideas, and possibility. This spirit of rebellion against conformity—the refusal to settle for what was expected—became a defining thread in her life.

Reinvention After Divorce

Life threw Mary Lou a major challenge in the 1970s when she divorced, with two children aged 12 and 8. Refusing to rely on spousal support for herself, she pursued a degree in library science. This new path led her to her first job as Resource Office Supervisor at the Community Information Centre of Metropolitan Toronto, a service that provided round-the-clock support for people across the city.

But while the work was meaningful, Mary Lou never let go of her dream of becoming a writer. After a few years, she made a bold choice: she quit her job, determined to pursue writing full-time. Supported by a small grant and her savings, she dedicated herself to novels. Though her first manuscripts didn’t get published immediately, this period was pivotal—it was when she fully claimed her identity as a writer.

To make ends meet, she took on side projects, including indexing Toronto’s bylaws. One of her most memorable discoveries? A law forbidding cows on Yonge Street—still technically on the books at the time.

Helping Women Find Their Voice

Mary Lou’s most enduring career role came later, when she joined the Assaulted Women’s Helpline in Toronto. For 15 years, she worked the crisis line, offering resources, listening, and support to women experiencing abuse.

The work was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Listening, she explained, was often the greatest gift you could give someone in crisis. She also found strength in the supportive network of fellow counselors who helped one another process difficult calls. By the time she retired at 65, she had helped countless women navigate some of their darkest moments.

Yet retirement didn’t come without a shift. She admits that, after years of helping others, she initially felt drained—saying, “I never want to help anybody ever again.” But over time, she rediscovered her balance and turned back to writing with renewed determination.

Becoming a Published Author at 70

Mary Lou had been writing since she was six years old—her first published piece was a poem that her grandmother included in a Toronto newspaper column. But it wasn’t until the age of 70 that her first book, One Day It Happens, a short story collection, was published.

The breakthrough was the culmination of decades of persistence. With her first book out, she set herself a new challenge: publish three more books before turning 80. She met her goal with determination and creativity.

Her works include:

Ildor – A novel inspired by her gold mining hometown, weaving stories of people returning to the town and searching for meaning.
Would I Lie to You? – Another novel that explored human relationships and truth.
The White Ribbon Man – A mystery set in downtown Toronto, featuring a body discovered in a church. Despite initially not being a mystery reader, Mary Lou took on the challenge after a friend suggested it. The book became her most popular, cementing her as a versatile author.

By the time she reached her late 80s, she had six published books to her name.

The Memoir: Late Bloomer

Now at 87, Mary Lou is preparing to release her memoir, Late Bloomer. The title perfectly captures her journey—someone who nurtured a dream quietly for decades before finally sharing it with the world. While “late bloomer” is a term often used with a touch of pity, Mary Lou has turned it into a badge of honor.

Her memoir dives into her personal history, including fascinating ancestors like Uncle Billy, one of the men credited with discovering the Banff Springs, and even Jacques Cartier, the first French settler in Canada. But it also reflects on her own explorations—whether growing up in a mining town, traveling widely, or carving out a life of independence and creativity.

For Mary Lou, storytelling isn’t just about recounting events—it’s about making sense of where we come from and how we grow.

Lessons From a Life of Bold Choices

Mary Lou’s journey offers timeless lessons:

It’s Never Too Late – She published her first book at 70. At nearly 90, she’s still writing and publishing. Dreams don’t expire.
Resilience Builds From Struggle – From divorce to career setbacks, Mary Lou always found a way to reinvent herself.
Your Voice Matters – Growing up in a time when women were silenced, she made sure her voice was heard—and spent years helping other women find theirs.
Creativity Thrives at Any Age – With six books and counting, Mary Lou proves age is no barrier to creativity.
Wear Your Pink Proudly – Her signature pink hair is more than a style choice—it’s a statement of joy, individuality, and unapologetic self-expression.

What She Would Tell Her Younger Self

Looking back, Mary Lou reflects on her life’s choices with both honesty and gratitude. If she could talk to her 40-year-old self—working the crisis hotline and still finding her path—she’d remind her that leaving her marriage and pursuing her own freedom was the right decision. While marrying young to a partner who didn’t support her writing was a mistake, she wouldn’t change it, because it gave her her children and grandchildren.

Her advice resonates for anyone standing at a crossroads: the path you take may not be perfect, but it shapes the life you were meant to live.

A Life Still in Bloom

Mary Lou insists that while she may eventually step away from publishing once her current projects are complete, she won’t stop writing altogether. She has a short story collection already submitted, a novel still in progress, and beyond that, she dreams of writing poetry—not for publication, but purely for herself. This shift represents a kind of creative freedom, a return to writing for joy rather than deadlines or outside expectations.

At the same time, she embraces life beyond the page. She delights in her grandchildren—three in total, ranging from a 28-year-old studying Mandarin in Taiwan to two younger ones who bring daily joy at ages eight and eleven. And she does it all in her signature pink style, from her hair to her shoes, a reflection of her vibrant spirit and unapologetic embrace of happiness.

Even as she reflects on the past—on the freedom she found after leaving a marriage that stifled her creativity, and the validation that came years later from her former husband who finally saw the beauty in her words—Mary Lou remains firmly rooted in the present. Whether it’s through her books, her voice, or the wisdom she shares, one thing is clear: she’s not done blooming.

Final Thoughts

Mary Lou Dickinson’s story shines as a beacon for anyone who has ever whispered to themselves, “It’s too late for me.” Her journey stands as living proof that it is never too late to begin again, never too late to shift directions, and never too late to let your voice be heard. She didn’t publish her first novel until she was seventy, yet that milestone opened doors to more books, short stories, and creative projects that continue to this day.

Her life demonstrates that fulfillment doesn’t arrive in a straight line or on someone else’s timeline. Whether you’re 40, 60, or 80, you can still rediscover passions, take bold chances, and embrace new beginnings.

So the next time doubt creeps in and you wonder if you’ve missed your chance, think of Mary Lou. Her life reminds us that creativity has no expiration date, and that choosing joy, persistence, and bold living is always within reach.

Watch her full episode here: