Amanda Lyn Mohan, of Pittsburgh, PA, formerly of Clark, PA, passed away peacefully, but far too soon, Sunday, April 7, 2019.   She was 41.

Amanda was born on April 18, 1977 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the loving daughter of Mark Gillen and Judith (Porsch) Mohan.  She attended the former St. Joseph Parochial Grade School in Sharon, and was a proud member of Kennedy Christian High School's class of 1995, Hermitage.  Amanda went on to earn her B.A. degree in communications from Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus, in 1999.

Amanda will be fondly remembered by all who knew her as a fun-loving, adventurous, huge-hearted, and loyal friend.  Anyone meeting Mandy for the first time might reasonably guess that her striking red hair, fair skin, beautiful blue eyes, perfect freckles, and beaming smile perhaps hinted at an Irish heritage; her abundant blessing of the Gift of Gab, and her enthusiastic willingness to share it with everyone would eliminate any lingering doubt.  That she was blessed with a few extra supersized helpings of the Gift was obvious very early on in her life.  She spoke her first words at age two and never stopped.  By age four, her father warned her that she talked so much that she ran the risk of running out of words one day, but she took action to ensure that would never happen: when asked why she always stuck her head out of the car window with her mouth open, four-year old Mandy replied "to catch more words."  She succeeded.

She was a patient, attentive, and fully-engaged Aunt to her nephew, Ryan Patrick, who loved her laugh almost as much as he loved her freckles.  Ryan maintained an exhaustive running list of games to play, stories to share, and interesting things to talk about (imagine that!) reserved for Mandy, and only Mandy, when he saw her during each summer's traditional big family vacation.  Of course, Mandy never, ever refused, and tirelessly chased, explored, colored, read, and snacked with her nephew.  She was so committed to Ryan that she routinely agreed to engage in ugly combat with her lifelong nemesis – jigsaw puzzles.  Her very best efforts ranged from "hilariously bad" to "are you even trying?"  After dozens of annual clashes, the puzzles remain undefeated.

The full spectrum of Mandy's wonderful personality, deep and enduring love of family, natural intellectual curiosity, optimism, and try-anything-once sense of adventure were on display at these vacations and family get-togethers, whether at home in Clark, in Austin, or in rented beach houses.  She was naturally drawn to the performing arts.  She read voraciously, devouring books as fast as she could buy them.  Mandy knew a studio's film release schedule better than the people that run them, and formulated well-articulated opinions on the performances just in case the Academy ever came to their senses and offered her a ballot for the Oscars.  She knew all the words to every song on the albums she bought, not just the hits.  More accurately, she *thought* she knew every word.  She exercised her creative license liberally, and was known to fill in the blanks with her own words until she figured out the real lyrics, or, just as often, a friend helpfully corrected her after they stopped laughing at Mandy's "interpretation."  Decades before American Idol and The Voice, Mandy spent hours in her room cutting demo tapes on her boom box, proudly releasing "Singing Me" at the tender age of six.

Mandy's strong desire to meaningfully engage the wide world around her, and the people that make the world interesting – was evident as she actively sought out the hottest restaurant, the coolest hangout, or the trendiest spot to shop so she could experience them with the people she loved most. People were what was most important to Mandy.  Her love for her friends, family and strangers alike was pure and unconditional.  She woke up each day happy, and her positive attitude, smile, and laughter was infectious.

"Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings."

Surviving are:  her parents, Mark and Judith Mohan, of Clark, PA; her loving brother, Daniel Mohan and his wife Christina, and their son, Ryan Patrick, truly the apple of Amanda's eye, of Austin, TX; Uncle Tony and Aunt Janet Giordano of Clark, PA; a cousin, Chad Giordano and his wife Darlene, and their children, Morgan and Madelyn, of Canton, OH; a cousin, Melanie Giordano Postlewaite, of Pittsburgh, PA; her uncle Larry and aunt Jane Close, of Port Charlotte, Florida; a cousin, Randy White, of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Vinnie, 120 pounds of enthusiastic, destructive tail-wagging, unconditional canine love and her constant companion - last on this list but first in her heart.

Amanda was preceded in death by her grandparents, Raymond and Mary (Marley) Porsch;  and William and Helen (Guzik) Mohan, both from Sharon, PA;  an aunt, Rose Mohan, of Treasure Island, FL; and a cousin, Lisa White Kendrick, of Port Charlotte, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Amanda requested donations to the Strayhaven Animal Shelter, 94 Donation Road, Greenville, PA 16125; online at www.strayhavenanimalshelter.com ; or the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter, 2599 Broadway Rd, Hermitage, PA 16148.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (4-12-19) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. O

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday (4-13-19) in St. Joseph Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, with Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.