Obituary of Mary M. Austin

MARY M. AUSTIN, 71, of Syracuse, NY, passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2024, with family and friends surrounding her with love. 

Mary was born in Syracuse, on February 2, 1953. She was predeceased by her father, Carl Austin,Sr. and her nephew, Jeffery Cox. Mary is survived by her wife, Suzanne Dollaway, her mother, Mary D. Austin, her siblings: Theresa (Jeff), John (Anne), Martha, Ellen (Jolly), Carl (Barb); nieces and nephews: Bryan, Matthew, Courtney, Nicole, Maggie, Jack, Mary, Alex, Brendan; and her great niece Nora.

Mary graduated from Bishop Grimes High School in 1971, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2023.  She earned a BS in Education from SUNY Brockport in 1975 where she competed in tennis and basketball.  She completed an MS in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland in 1980.

“Miss Austin” lived an exemplary life serving as a role model for her many students and student athletes at Onondaga Central School District where she worked from 1975 until 2009.  She loved teaching, and she loved coaching.  Coach Austin worked with various teams including modified girls soccer, modified girls and boys track, and, surprisingly, cheerleading. Mary coached the varsity girls basketball team for several years and led them to the NYS Section III Class C-2 Championship in 1990.  She also coached the Onondaga Community College women’s basketball team.     

She loved sports, particularly tennis and basketball; and she was a devoted fan, especially of SU Women’s basketball and the WNBA.  In 1983 and ’84, Mary won four medals in the Empire State Summer Games for javelin, discus, and shot put. 

An avid naturalist and birder, she had 472 birds on her life list.  Her favorite activities included gardening, reading, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing.  Mary loved traveling within the United States as well as in other countries such as Australia, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, and Canada.  U.S. National Parks were of special interest to Mary and she visited Acadia, Shenandoah, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Escalante, Congaree, and Saguaro Desert. She was an Adirondack 46er who also completed the Tupper Lake Triad, the Saranac Six, the Northville-Placid Trail, the 100 Miles on the Finger Lakes Trail Challenge, and the Erie Canal Challenge as well as various sections of the Appalachian Trail.

Mary enjoyed meeting many wonderful people during the several years that she volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

Mary was an advocate for children and animals, a life-long learner, and a great sport.  Her persistence and discipline were peppered with her hysterical or wise famous one-liners.  She was a quiet person, but when she spoke we listened.

To honor a life well-lived, the family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 11, from 1 until 3 pm with a “Celebration of Life” service to take place immediately following at Edward J. Ryan Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Avenue, Syracuse 13219.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, the CNY Land Trust or Hospice of CNY.