IN MEMORIAM: Mary Louise Austin, 97;
Raised 7 Children Here; Loved Music, Arts
ONEONTA – Mary Louise Ryan Austin, 97, who was active in Oneonta music and arts organizations while raising seven children here, passed away peacefully on Oct. 24, 2016, at Chestnut Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Jan. 16, 1919, in Lebanon, Madison County, daughter of Florence A. and Arthur T. Ryan. Her childhood was spent on the family farm at Hamilton.
After graduating from Hamilton High School in 1937, she received a bachelor’s degree from Denison University, Greenville, Ohio, in 1941 and with a master’s from the University of Chicago School of Social Work in 1943.
She married James Cuthbert Austin of Hamilton in 1942. After marriage she worked for the Girl Scouts of America as an outreach coordinator in Saratoga. Initially living in Elmira, James and Mary Louise moved to Oneonta in 1958.
She is survived by seven children: Anne Cuthbert Gill-Wood (Robert Wood), Whitesboro, James Curtiss Austin (Carolyn), Oneonta, Sarah Olcott Austin, Oneonta, Christopher Austin, Oneonta, Thomas Pendell Austin (Roberta), Walton, Elizabeth Austin (Mark Hocker), West Chester, Pa., David Greenfield Austin (Robert Guinto), West Roxbury, Mass. Ten grandchildren: Andrew Gill (Stacey), Jeffrey Austin (Kari), Cynthia Smith (Peter), Michael Austin (Rachael), Erin Kingsbury (Daniel), Bethany Austin, David Hocker, Steven Hocker, Ryan Guinto, Justin Guinto. And seven great-grandchildren.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, League of Women Voters, Adirondack Mountain Club, Oneonta Garden Club and book club. She loved the arts and music immensely – a faithful audience member at the Catskill Symphony Orchestra, Oneonta Concert Association, Glimmerglass Opera, and the New York City Ballet at Saratoga. She was an avid reader and Scrabble player.
She is predeceased by her husband James, in 1983, her sisters Ruth Harris, and Margaret MacIntyre, and her brother Richard Ryan. Also, a son-in-law Carl E. Gill.
A memorial service will at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30, at the First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main St, Oneonta. A reception will follow the service at the church.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lhpfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by Lewis, Hurley and Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta
