After a distinguished 27-year career as a Department of Defense civilian in finance and accounting, Mary Beal transitioned her expertise from government systems to the most important system of all, the family. A seasoned non-fiction writer and researcher, Mary blends the precision of an auditor with the heart of a storyteller. As the author of four books and a contributor to four others, her work focuses on the intersection of faith, family history, and the triumph of the human spirit. Whether she is uncovering ancestral legacies or sharing wellness secrets for longevity, Mary’s mission is to help families document their past to secure their future. When she isn’t writing or researching genealogy, she can be found traveling or enjoying a competitive board game with her loved ones.