When Mary Anne Schwalbe was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her publisher son Will accompanied her to her treatments. As they had all their lives, they discussed books and the end of your life book club was born. They read and re-read dozens of books, not just 'great' books but a huge range. Funny and poignant, The End of Your Life Book Clubis moving and inspirational. The book spans 75 years, it references locations all over the world and deals with the biggest questions life has to offer and the biggest challenges human beings confront. Through the books we come to know Mary Anne and their lifelong love affair with books. Mary Anne Schwalbe was the first director of the Women's Commission for refugee Women and Children, which is affiliated with the International Rescue Committee and was instrumental in founding the IRC's UK Board. Prior to working with refugees she served as director of admissions for Harvard and Radcliffe.

As part of her work with refugees she travelled to 27 countries, often during wartime. She spoke at conferences all over the world and received several major humanitarian honours. She attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1955 and worked in the theatre for ten years. She and her husband spent much of their time in the UK from 1976 until 2007. Her last endeavour was helping to build libraries in Afghanistan. Mary Anne Schwalbe died in September 2009.