Carolyn "Carrie" Mowbray

In Loving Memory of Carolyn "Carrie" Mowbray (Autio)
1969 – 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Carrie Autio Mowbray, who passed away suddenly on March 18, 2025. Born on August 4, 1969 at St. Margaret's Hospital in Boston, Carrie lived her life with zest and enthusiasm, and embraced the adventures of life with gusto.
A Life Well-Lived
Carrie was known to many as a person of immense generosity and strength. Her journey through life was marked by numerous achievements and successes. She was the loving mother to her daughters, Olivia, Natalie and Julia Mowbray, cherished sister to Elizabeth Daley, Katherine Ehler and Ken Autio. She was the beloved aunt to Hannah Daley, Andrew, Audrey and Lily Ehler, Luke, Anna and Jane Autio, as well as Mikayla Pagnini, Victoria Oppedisano and Robert Pederzani and she will be deeply missed.
Early Years and Education
Carrie was the 3rd child and third daughter of Kenneth and Marjorie Autio of Braintree. Carrie excelled in academics and sports – she was an excellent gymnast, diver and softball player – frequently an All-Star in Braintree's town softball league. Carrie attended Archbishop Williams High school in Braintree and graduated in 1987, and continued onto the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and entered in the business program there. Her second year of college, she transferred to Northeastern University, Boston to continue her studies in Business. Carrie did a semester abroad in Spain during college – having become fluent in Spanish in high school. Carrie met Michael Mowbray of Hanover, MA through a mutual friend, and she soon left her studies at Northeastern in order to start a waste removal company with him – Waste Solutions, Inc. and never looked back at that decision.
Professional Accomplishments
Carrie and Michael made a formidable team at Waste Solutions, with Carrie handling sales and business development for the company. She was known as a tough competitor, smart, tenacious and fearless and she made a name for herself in a male dominated profession. She was a trailblazer – an innovator at a time in the early 1990's, where there were not many women in this line of work. She was a driven professional; a street smart and tough negotiator that never backed down from a challenge. In the early years of the company, she did trucking dispatch by day, and waited tables at night to generate income to stay afloat while the business grew. Throughout the more than 25 years in that industry, Carrie made significant contributions to the waste industry - leaving behind a legacy of innovation and dedication. She went on to becoming respected by colleagues and clients alike for her brains and her grit.
Personal Life and Passions
Outside of her professional life, Carrie found joy in entertaining and being with family and friends. She was passionate about travel, and later in life, developed a love of cooking which added a new dimension to her entertaining. She was a notorious beach bum, always had a tan, was frequently jetting off to some warm and inviting tropical location where she could enjoy a climate more agreeable to her than New England's winters. She was a lover of fashion – always dressed to impress and never shied away from bold fashion statements. Carrie could pull off couture looks that many could not, and she had a way that made it all seem effortless. The life of the party, she was a 'larger than life' presence that could be both comforting and intimidating! She lived life 'to 11' – always pushing herself, pushing the envelope and sometimes pushing others to live outside of their comfort zone. People gravitated to Carrie – she was effervescent, gregarious, fun-loving and edgy; she cursed like a sailor and wore her loud Boston accent proudly wherever she went in the world. She was well-traveled and was always planning her next adventure. Her suitcases were rarely unpacked as her next excursion was always on the horizon. She instilled a love of travel in her children, who have logged many travel miles with her over the years – and many memorable stamps in their passports.
Family and Friends
Carrie is survived by her children, Olivia, Natalie and Julia Mowbray and her former husband and business partner, Michael Mowbray – all of Hanover, MA. Her business may have been her first 'baby', but once she had her daughters, everything she did in life was for the future of her girls, who she loved with all her heart.
Memorial Service
Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Sullivan Funeral Home 551 Washington Street Hanover, MA between 4pm and 7pm. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Parish (St. Mary's Church) 392 Hanover Street Hanover, MA on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 9am to honor and celebrate Carrie's remarkable life. All who knew and loved Carrie are welcome to attend and share memories.
In Remembrance
Carrie's legacy of generosity, dedication, and love will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a fierce and loyal mother, sister and friend and Carrie will forever remain in our hearts.