Diana Rees was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 1983, after a career as teacher and librarian, she became owner and operator of the Sea Captain's Loft in St. Andrews, adjacent to Cottage Craft. Upon retirement, Diana began a biography of Grace Helen Mowat and a history of Cottage Craft, but died in 2007, leaving the manuscript to be completed by her husband, Ronald.
Ronald Rees was born in Wales and from 1964 until 1985 taught historical geography at the University of Saskatchewan. After moving to St Andrews, he became an adjunct professor at Mount Allison. This allowed him to write almost full-time, except for summer handyman duties at the Sea Captain's Loft.