Virginia T. (Oshier) Mullen, age 85, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Born on November 15, 1938, in Faust, NY, Virginia, the daughter of the late Aleric and Hazel (Ayotte) Oshier and the beloved wife of George H. Mullen. Virginia enjoyed a loving childhood in North Tonawanda, NY, and spent her summers with relatives and maternal grandmother Delia Lagoy Ayotte at the family’s ancestral home in Tupper Lake. There, she learned to swim at Moody Beach on Little Wolf Pond, going on to teach swimming and lifesaving to generations of children.

Virginia met the love of her life, George, and they married in 1958, eventually settling in the countryside of Wellsboro, PA where they raised their 5 children: Siobhan, Brigid, Caitlin, Michael, and Deirdre. Virginia was a homemaker and professional textile artist specializing in weaving and bobbin lace making. She co-founded Mountain Crafts (an artists’ consignment shop on Main Street) and VESTA (a women’s art collective) in Wellsboro, PA. Over the years her textile art has been seen at craft fairs, art shows, and galleries, including the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center in Wellsboro, PA.

In her later years, Virginia traveled the world (from backpacking the high Himalayas of Nepal to walking the Great Wall of China to exploring the many islands of the Galapagos) with her soulmate George. She reveled in the cultural experiences the many countries had to offer, including exploring and connecting with her ancestral homelands in Northern France. Virginia, hailing from a family of lumberjacks and Adirondack hiking guides, passed the family love of nature on to her children. She raised them to stop and appreciate the beauty of the world, the wild and tame nature all around. There was always time to stop for Rainbow Alerts, look at wildlife, watch the clouds, or gaze at the stars. 

Virginia “left behind a lot of amazing people” and is lovingly mourned by her husband of 65 glorious years, George Mullen of Wellsboro, PA; her children: Siobhan Mullen of Melbourne, FL, Brigid Mullen of Wellsboro, PA, Caitlin Mullen (Stevie Coons) of Marion Station, MD, Michael Mullen (Sherri Sabino) of Melbourne, FL, Deirdre Heck (James Heck) of Chelmsford, MA; grandchildren: Aleric Heck, Tristan Heck, Aislin Scully; her brother: Maurice “Moe” Oshier of Melbourne, FL; sisters-in-law: Melva Oshier of NC, Sally Oshier of Cheektowaga, NY. She is preceded in death by her parents Aleric and Hazel (Ayotte) Oshier, siblings Eleanor Crowley, James Oshier, Louis Oshier, and son-in-law Stephen Scully.

Anyone who ever met Virginia remembers her smile and loving generosity. She lifted the people around her and inspired them to become their best selves. Virginia’s greatest weaving is still warped on her “loom”. She created the tapestry of her loved ones’ lives, making room for joy and whimsy to inhabit its sacred spaces. And as time goes by, new family stories and new generations will be woven into the fabric of a life well lived.

 A private family graveside service will be held at the Holy Name Cemetery, Tupper Lake, NY.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA. Virginia was passionate about supporting women’s rights and was a Cornerstone Charter Member of the National Women’s History Museum. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Virginia’s memory be made to the National Women’s History Museum, 800 Connecticut Ave., NW * 3rd Floor * Washington, DC 20006, or go to www.womenshistory.org/donate.