Mo left Malmesbury Grammar School at 17 and her first job was with the Jacqmar fashion house in Grosvenor Square, London.  Her job was to go round London getting samples of fabrics, buttons, scarves, gloves etc She lived with her Grandma in East Barnet and was paid £3 per week - her Grandma later told her that it cost more to send her to work than she earned.  Maureen loved this job but had to leave London to take care of her Mother.    

She went back to Malmesbury & got a job with E K Cole.  She went to college one day per week where she learnt shorthand & typing - she used these skills for the rest of her working life as a secretary & later as a personal assistant.