Mary Hornigold was an expectant mother who occupied the bed next to Valerie Barlow in the maternity ward in April 1965. Mary offered Val the voice of experience as she waited to give birth to Peter and Susan, seeing as it was Val's first time and Mary was on her fourth child. Eating her way through a box of turkish delights, Mary told Val all about herself, including the fact that her husband Ted was hoping for a boy this time as they couldn't fork out for four weddings. Her incessant chatter was the last thing Val needed at that moment, but the Coronation Street resident remained ever-polite, giving friendly if minimal replies to Mary's enquiries. Later, when Ken visited the ward looking for Val, Mary informed him that she'd been taken through to the labour ward and he was better going home and phoning as she would be a while yet.
The women were neighbours again in the maternity ward after both had had their babies. Again, Mary wittered on about herself, bragging about how wonderful her husband was for building a nursery for their new son.