Mary Aviyah Farkas holds a Masters degree (M.S.) in Nutrition from Tufts University, as well as a Masters degree (M.A.) in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco. She practiced as a Registered Dietitian for over 25 years. After finding her wife of 18 years dead, in bed, without warning; and after the plunder of their home by her wife's family, Ms. Farkas suffered abject grief and suicidal thoughts. She began to write literally to save her life, and Overcoming Deepest Grief, a Woman's Journey came into being.