AUBURN – Mary Ellen Austin, 71, of 440 Minot Ave., Auburn, died Saturday, Sept. 8.

She was born Mary Ellen Thomas on Feb. 26, 1936, in Presque Isle, the daughter of Amelia and Orin Thomas Jr. She grew up in Rutland, Vt., and received her education there graduating from Rutland High School in 1954. She furthered her education at Sargent College, Boston University and received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.

She worked and in lived in Burlington, Vt., until 1970, when she moved to Auburn. She continued to work as a physical therapist in the area for many years and also volunteered for five years at Central Maine Medical Center.

She enjoyed walking, swimming, skiing, sailing and spending time in the outdoors. She appreciated a wide variety of music and was always a reader. Above all, she loved and cherished her three children.

She is survived by her daughter, Deidre Austin of Madison, Wisc.; her son, Eric Austin of Augusta, and her son, Michael Austin of Poland; her sister, Jane Forest, and her mother, Amelia Thomas, both of Wilmington Mass.