Maureen Austin

Maureen "Mo" Louise (Mullen) Austin, allegedly 70 despite insisting that she was 50 for 10 years straight, of Erie, PA passed away peacefully at her residence with her cat, Sailor, from pneumonia and long-term health issues on October 29, 2025.
Mo was born in Buffalo, NY on June 10, 1955, to the late John E. Mullen and Joan M. Mullen (née Coughlin). Maureen graduated in 1973 from Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsville, NY before studying to become a Respiratory Therapist at Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY and working at Children's Hospital after graduation. On October 17, 1987, she married the late Gary Lee Austin, who was the love of her life and forever soulmate. They were married for 31 years and the day he left this world, her life was never the same.
Mo was loved by all; she was kind and loving and always lived up to her name. She loved to give, whether it was giving her friends at the apartment complex her old clothes or buying them new clothes. She will be remembered for her love and amazing talent of crafting and sewing, her sarcastic (and we mean sarcastic) sense of humor, her immense stubbornness, her very vibrant vocabulary, her "Wicked"-ness, her one-of-a-kind funny t-shirts and her impeccable shopping traits of which she would receive an obscene amount of packages daily. She never went anywhere without making a friend. Over the last 8 years she spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital and rehab facilities and always came home with phone numbers from the staff. She never freely went for treatment without wreaking havoc and demanding they release her before she called LIFT to take her home, even though she couldn't dial her phone and could only send "cryptic a.k.a. gibberish" text messages to her family and friends.
Mo was preceded in death by her husband Gary; both her parents: John E. and Joan Mullen; her brother, John C. Mullen; all her beloved cats: Willy, Max, Scooby, Jack, Winston, Chloe, Scarlett and Farley; and her cronies: Helen, Enis, Al, and Jeanne, who will all be thrilled to deal with her antics in the afterlife. We know in our hearts when they all saw her coming through the pearly gates, they said, "Oh Lord, here she comes and she looks mad that we left her behind!"
Mo is survived by her two children: Sara Paolello (James) of Erie, PA and Nicholas Galbo (Nikki) of Ridgway, PA; two step-children; her seven grandchildren, who were the loves of her life: Calvino Paolello of Erie, PA, Summer Logue (Scotty) of Chesapeake, VA, Isabella Galbo of Pittsburgh, PA and Nolan Galbo, Alex Galbo, Jordan Galbo and Miles Galbo, all of Ridgway, PA; and her first great-grandson, Adam Logue of Chesapeake, VA. She is also survived by a brother, Mark Mullen of Ridgway, PA; her three favorite cronies; Rhea Manning, Sharlene King, and Rose Burke, all of Erie, PA; and her bestie for 70 years; Patti Havekost of Milford, PA.
Though she loved her children, Mo's favorite role was that of being "Nana". She treasured her time with her grandchildren and great-grandson. She absolutely loved being their Nana, never failing to buy them whatever they wanted or just snuggling them to sleep when they were babies. They were her pride and joy.
Mo's final wishes were not to have a viewing or funeral. Her friends are invited to attend a "Celebration of Life" at Harborcreek Senior Apartments - 1st Floor Community Room, located at 4400 E. Lake Rd, Erie, PA, 16511, on Saturday, November 15th from 12pm to 2pm. Please come in a funny t-shirt, whether it's just a picture or a saying, as those were her favorite shirts to wear.
In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made out to "Noelle's Foster Kittens" and sent to her daughter, and she will hand deliver all donations. You can also go to Noelle's Foster Kittens website and donate: https://noellesfosterkittens.org/
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dusckas Funeral & Cremation Services Harborcreek. Condolences may be offered at www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.