William Light was not free to marry Maria Gandy, as he was still married to his second wife Mary when he left for South Australia. Light and his wife had been living separate lives for several years. Maria travelled to South Australia with her brothers William and Edward on board the Rapid, where she was one of only two women.

When Light died of tuberculosis in 1839, Maria was his sole beneficiary. She married Dr George Mayo in 1840 and had 4 children with him. She died in 1847.