Mary Nolan Austin

Cambridge-Mary Nolan Austin, 98, died peacefully on Sunday, July 22, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Mary lived a long and extraordinary life. She is an example for us all on how to live our best lives each and every day.

Born on February 6, 1920 at Mary McClellan Hospital in Cambridge, New York, Mary was the daughter of John F. Nolan, Sr. and Bridie Dailey Nolan. Mary grew up on the family farm in Post Corners, the eldest of 8 children. She spent her childhood as her parent’s right-hand-girl and was fondly known as ‘Sis’ to her siblings.

Mary graduated from Saint Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls at the age of 14, attended the Oneonta Normal School, and received her teaching degree from SUNY New Paltz at the age of 18. Her teaching career began in a one room school house and spanned 50 years, impacting hundreds of Cambridge students who still have fond memories of her as their teacher. Mary married John R. Austin in 1951 and they lived a happy life together until his death in 1984.

Mary is survived by her loving and devoted daughters and their husbands: Judith (Charles Rancourt) of Brunswick, Susan (Peter Sawyer), Mollie (Philip Bell), and Lisa (Mark Cuddihy), all of Cambridge. She was the best Nana and will be greatly missed by her grandchildren: Jared Sawyer, Nicholas Bell, Emily Naaktgeboren, Elizabeth Mulready, Bridget and Sarah Cuddihy, as well as her great grandson, Callan. Mary is survived by her sister, Katherine Gilchrist, her sister-in-law, Ann Nolan, and numerous special nieces and nephews. Mary was pre-deceased by her husband John, her sisters, Elizabeth Luke, Ann Connor, and Rita McCart and brothers John, James, and William Nolan.

Mary was a lifelong communicant of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a loyal Democrat. She loved books, Jeopardy, the daily Jumble, birds at her feeder, the ocean, her Irish heritage and the NY Yankees. She lived independently up to the age of 97 at the Cambridge Woods Apartments. For the past year, Mary had been a resident of the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls. Mary and her family are grateful for the care she received there from the dedicated staff.

Friends may call on Wednesday, July 25th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Ackley, Ross, & Gariepy Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge, NY.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 26 at 10:00 am at St. Patrick’s Church, 17 South Park Street, Cambridge by Very Reverend Thomas Zelker.

Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the Cambridge Public Library, 21 West Main Street, Cambridge, NY  12816 or the Cambridge Community Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 317, Cambridge, NY  12816.

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