June 22, 2008  

GLENFIELD, N.Y.  —  Justine “Jolly” Austin, 78, of Otter Creek Road, died Saturday, June 21, at her home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Lewis County.

Born Sept. 22, 1929, in Lowville, daughter of Elyda and Mamie Gowing Clemons, she was a member of the last class to graduate from the Turin Union School on June 20, 1947.  

She married Leonard Austin on Sept. 3, 1949, at Turin Methodist Church with Rev. George Stockdale officiating. They were the parents of nine children, all boys. For years Jolly stayed at home to raise all of her children. She worked alongside her husband on farms in Turin and Houseville.  

In 1961, the family moved to the Otter Creek Road in Glenfield, where she remained for the rest of her life.  Mr. Austin died on December 10, 1972. Following his death, she worked in the cafeteria at the South Lewis High School as their baker, retiring in 1992. During summers, she also worked as a baker at 4-H Camp Wabaso in Redwood, and Camp Aldersgate in Brantingham.

Mrs. Austin was a devoted wife and mother, a good friend and neighbor. She was a hard worker, often doing occasional odd jobs for neighbors and friends.  

She was active in the Glenfield United Methodist Church and its United Methodist Women, the 3-G Volunteer Fireman’s Auxiliary, Lowville Senior Citizens, Singing Waters Senior Citizens and was a Life member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 6912 Auxiliary, Lowville. Through the years she held a variety of offices with some of these groups, often serving as treasurer. In addition, she was a volunteer leader for the South Lewis Parish Youth Group, Cub Scouts and Brownies.  She volunteered for the Heart Association, earning recognition as their volunteer of the year, and participated with her family in the annual Relay-for-Life.  

She will be remembered as one who greatly loved dancing and seldom missed an opportunity to “kick up her heels.”  She belonged to the North Country Swingers square dance club and was very active.  

She greatly loved spending time at the family camp on Sand Pond, or playing card and board games particularly with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Other hobbies included gardening and baking.

Survivors include her eight remaining children and their families, Dale and Tammy, Freeville, N.Y., Randy and Spring, Lowville, Leon and Rae, Lowville, Alan , Boonville, Neil and Tracy, Boonville, Mark and Dawn, Greig, Tim, Turin; and Brian and Jean, Elgin, S.C.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Kraeger, Castorland; and dozens of nieces and nephews.  

She was predeceased by her husband; her oldest son, Larry; and two sisters, Leona “Toots” Taylor and Alice Beyer VanCour.

Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at Iseneker Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Iseneker Funeral Home, Waters Rd., Lowville, the Rev. Bruce W. Chapman, former pastor and longtime friend of the family, Joan Ripp, former pastor, and Billie Jean Melton, current pastor of the Glenfield United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be next to her husband at the Martinsburg Cemetery.  

Those wishing to remember her are encouraged to make donations to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367 or Glenfield United Methodist Church, c/o Elinor Olmstead, Otter Creek Road, Glenfield, NY 13343.

Information provided by Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc. of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.